NON DETERMINISM Meaning and
Definition
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Non determinism refers to the philosophical and computational concept that states that the outcomes of certain phenomena or events are not predetermined or fixed. It is the belief that not all events and causes have a single, predetermined outcome. Non determinism suggests that certain events or phenomena can have multiple possible outcomes, and it is impossible to predict which outcome will occur with certainty.
In the field of philosophy, non determinism poses a challenge to the notion of determinism, which argues that all events are predetermined by preceding causes or conditions. Proponents of non determinism argue that certain events, especially those involving human agency or free will, are not completely determined by their preceding causes. Instead, they believe that there are factors such as choice, chance, and randomness that can influence the outcome of events.
In computational theory, non determinism refers to the concept that a computer program, algorithm, or machine can have multiple potential outcomes for a given input. Non deterministic systems are characterized by their ability to explore multiple paths simultaneously and select one of many possible outcomes during the computation process. This differs from deterministic systems, which have a single, predictable outcome for a given input. Non determinism provides an important theoretical framework for understanding complex computational problems and designing algorithms that can efficiently solve them.
Overall, non determinism represents the idea that certain events or phenomena are not fixed or predetermined, challenging deterministic notions and providing alternative explanations for the complexity and unpredictability of various phenomena in philosophy and computation.
Etymology of NON DETERMINISM
The word "non determinism" is formed by combining the prefix "non-" which means "not" or "opposite of", and the word "determinism".
"Determinism" comes from the Latin word "determinare", which means "to limit" or "to define". It stems from the Latin prefix "de-", indicating "down" or "away", and "terminus", meaning "boundary" or "limit".
When these two elements are combined, "non determinism" denotes the state or quality of not being determined or not being subject to a fixed or predictable outcome.
