fatalism
UK[ˈfeɪ.tə.lɪ.zəm]US[ˈfeɪ.t̬ə.lɪ.zəm]
n
the belief that all events are decided in advance by a divine power or fate and that humans cannot change them.
n
an attitude of resignation or passive acceptance in the face of future events, because they are believed to be inevitable.
Morpheme Breakdown
fatal
ism
fatal
fate
ism
doctrine
Etymology
the word 'fatalism' is a philosophical doctrine built from the latin root for fate. the core element 'fatal' originates from the latin fatum, meaning "that which has been spoken," referring to the prophetic utterance of the gods which was believed to determine destiny. the suffix '-ism', of greek origin via latin, systematically converts this concept into a named school of thought. thus, the literal construction "fate-doctrine" elegantly encapsulates the belief that all events are predetermined by an unalterable cosmic decree, a concept that evolved from ancient mythological pronouncements into a formal philosophical and theological position.
Analysis
Structure: fatal (fate) + ism (doctrine)
fatal: from latin fatalis (of fate, decreed by fate), from fatum (that which has been spoken, fate). functions as the core adjective/adjectival root meaning "relating to fate."
ism: from greek -ismos, a suffix forming nouns of action, state, or doctrine. functions as a noun-forming suffix meaning "a distinctive system, theory, or practice."
Examples
his calm during the crisis was not bravery but a deep-seated fatalism.
the novel explores the tension between free will and fatalism in the characters' lives.
a culture of fatalism can hinder efforts toward social progress and reform.