What does fatalism mean?
Fatalism is the belief that events are fixed in advance by fate or some impersonal force and that human effort cannot alter them. In its stricter sense it names a philosophical doctrine about determinism and destiny, debated since antiquity; in its looser, everyday sense it describes a resigned attitude — the feeling that whatever will be, will be. The word carries a largely negative connotation when applied to individuals, who may be criticized as passive or defeatist, though in some cultures fatalism functions as a source of calm endurance rather than despair. Derived from the Latin 'fatum', meaning 'that which has been spoken', it entered English usage in the seventeenth century alongside related terms such as 'fate' and 'fatal'. It remains useful for discussing philosophy, religion, politics, and psychology, marking the boundary between what people believe they control and what they accept as inevitable.
nounThe belief that all events are predetermined by fate and are therefore unalterable by human action. It also describes an attitude of resigned acceptance in the face of events regarded as inevitable.
- The philosophical or religious doctrine that all events are predetermined by fate and beyond human control.
- An attitude of passive resignation or acceptance of whatever happens, seen as inevitable.
"Confronted with the diagnosis, she succumbed to a quiet fatalism, convinced that nothing she did could change the outcome."
"His fatalism led him to believe that preparing for the exam was pointless — if he was meant to pass, he would."
"The villagers' fatalism was mistaken for indifference; in truth they had simply endured hardships too great to fight."
The word 'fatalism' traces back to Fate itself — the Latin 'fatum', meaning literally 'that which has been spoken'.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of fatalism
Fatalism derives from 'fatal', which comes from the Latin 'fatum' ('that which has been spoken'), referring to a decree of destiny pronounced by the gods. The word took shape in English in the early modern period, with forms such as 'fatalism' and 'fatalist' becoming established by the seventeenth century as debates over predestination and free will intensified. It shares its root with cognates including 'fate', 'fatal', and 'fatality', and its development paralleled European philosophical discussions of determinism.
Related word forms
How fatalism is actually used
Fatalism is a relatively formal term, common in philosophy, theology, and social commentary. When used loosely of a personal attitude, it can carry a negative connotation of passivity or defeatism, so writers sometimes distinguish it carefully from mere acceptance or stoicism.
Easily confused with fatalism
"Fatal" describes something causing death or disaster, while "fatalism" is the belief or attitude that events are fixed by fate and cannot be changed.
A "fatality" is an actual death resulting from an incident, whereas fatalism is a philosophical outlook about inevitability.