WordGarden.iofatalism
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /fˈeɪtəlˌɪzəm/
US
- /ˈfeɪtəˌlɪzəm/
Meanings
Noun
the belief that events are fixed and cannot be changed by human action
a resigned attitude that whatever happens is inevitable
Beyond the definition
Imagine a sailor caught in a terrible storm. A person with this view may feel that the storm's outcome has already been decided, no matter how hard they try to steer. That is the essence of fatalism: the idea that events are fixed and unavoidable. It is not necessarily the same as being negative. It is more about feeling that you have little or no control over what is going to happen.
Fatalism often appears in stories where characters face terrible odds. They might say things like, "It was meant to be," or simply accept their situation with a shrug. This way of thinking can lead to passivity, but it can also help some people cope with hardship. It differs from optimism: an optimist believes things can improve, while someone with a fatalistic view believes the future is already set.
Fatalism is the philosophical belief that all events are predetermined and therefore inevitable. It is the view that what happens in life is already fixed, whether by fate, destiny, or some other unchangeable force, and that human choice cannot fully alter it.
The roots of fatalism stretch back to ancient philosophies and religions. In Greek mythology, the Moirai (the Fates) determined the course of every life from birth to death. Similarly, some interpretations of religious doctrines lean toward a fatalistic worldview, suggesting that a higher power has a fixed plan for the universe that human intervention cannot alter.
However, fatalism isn't always rooted in mythology or religion; it can also be a psychological response to trauma. Someone who feels powerless in the face of overwhelming adversity might adopt a fatalistic outlook as a way to reconcile with their lack of control.
It is important to distinguish fatalism from pessimism. While a pessimist expects the worst, a fatalist simply believes that whatever happens is unavoidable. A fatalist doesn't necessarily view the future with sadness; they view it with acceptance.
You will frequently encounter fatalism in literature and film, portrayed through characters resigned to their "doom" or "glory." In Shakespeare's Macbeth, for instance, the witches' prophecies create a sense of inescapable destiny that drives the plot. Even the famous phrase "Que sera, sera" ("Whatever will be, will be") serves as a classic expression of fatalistic acceptance. Ultimately, fatalism is a belief system that shapes how individuals perceive their agency and respond to the world around them.
Examples
- 1
Village hardship
After years of failed crops, a sense of fatalism spread through the village.
- 2
Economic outlook
His fatalism about the economy made him stop applying for jobs.
- Patternfatalism about + situation
the feeling that it cannot really be changed
- 3
Problem solving
She refused to accept the fatalism in his advice and kept looking for a solution.
- 4
Election
There was a tone of fatalism in the way the team talked about the next election.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
- free will
- agency
Do not confuse
Used with (collocations)
- a sense of fatalism
- fatalism about the future
- economic fatalism
Word family
- fatalist
- fatalistic
Explore
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- fatalismnoun