"Necessarian" is spelled with three syllables: /nəˈsɛsəriən/. The first syllable is pronounced with the vowel sound /ə/, which is the "schwa" sound and is the most common vowel sound in English. The second syllable has an /ɛ/ sound, as in the word "red". The third syllable has the long /i/ sound, and the ending "-arian" is pronounced like "-arian" in words such as "vegetarian" and "libertarian". "Necessarian" refers to the belief that everything that happens is necessary and predetermined.
Necessarian is an adjective that describes the philosophical viewpoint that all events, actions, and decisions in the universe are determined by prior causes and have no free will or choice involved. Derived from the word "necessity," necessarianism asserts that every occurrence is necessary and could not have happened differently due to the chain of cause and effect.
In the context of metaphysics, necessarianism proposes that every action or occurrence in the world is predetermined and cannot be altered by human volition, divine intervention, or any external factors. Accordingly, individuals do not possess the ability to make choices or exercise free will since all events are a result of prior causes beyond their control. Necessarianism rejects the notion of random or spontaneous occurrences in favor of a deterministic understanding of reality.
Necessarianism is often contrasted with libertarianism, a philosophical standpoint that upholds the belief in free will and personal agency. While proponents of necessarianism argue that there are no alternatives or contingencies in the unfolding of events, opponents critique the viewpoint, asserting that it undermines human responsibility and accountability for actions and choices. The concept finds applications in various disciplines, including psychology, ethics, and theology, where it influences debates about moral responsibility, human behavior, and the nature of God's sovereignty.
One who holds the doctrine of philosophical necessity.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "Necessarian" is derived from the Latin word "necessarius", which means "necessary" or "indispensable". The term "necessarian" combines the Latin root with the suffix "-ian", which denotes a person or follower. Therefore, a "necessarian" refers to someone who believes in or advocates for the principles of philosophical determinism or the idea that all events are ultimately determined by necessity.