What does voluntarism mean?
Voluntarism is a formal noun that treats voluntary choice and action as fundamental. In ordinary discussion it can mean the belief that people should be free to contribute or participate without coercion, or a commitment to achieving goals through voluntary cooperation. In philosophy, however, voluntarism is the view that agents possess genuine freedom to choose and act, particularly in opposition to determinism. A historical educational sense describes a method that seeks a pupil's voluntary interest and cooperation rather than enforced obedience. The word is formal and specialized, so in general speech “voluntary” or “volunteer” may be more natural. It remains useful because it names a substantive philosophical issue: whether freedom is compatible with a world governed by causal necessity. Unlike the similarly spelled “voluntaryism,” which more specifically emphasizes voluntary service or support, voluntarism is broader and may focus on voluntary agency itself.
nounThe principle that voluntary choice and action are fundamental, especially the belief that people should be free to act and cooperate without coercion. In philosophy, it is the view that human agents genuinely possess freedom of choice, particularly in opposition to determinism.
- The doctrine or practice of relying on voluntary participation, cooperation, or support rather than compulsion.
- The philosophical view that voluntary choice is fundamental and that agents are not wholly determined in their actions.
- A historical educational theory emphasizing a pupil's voluntary interest and cooperation rather than enforced obedience.
- The theological doctrine that God's actions are freely willed rather than logically or intrinsically necessary.
"The reform movement was grounded in a commitment to voluntarism, relying on public participation rather than compulsory state action."
"Educational voluntarism sought to make learning more engaging by giving pupils a genuine role in determining what they would study."
"In debates over free will, voluntarism maintains that a person's choices are not merely the inevitable result of prior causes."
The plural is grammatically correct but uncommon, since the word usually names a single doctrine or principle.
"The study compared several philosophical voluntarisms and the assumptions behind them."
Voluntarism puts freedom at the center of human agency: even in a causally ordered universe, an agent's choices are treated as genuinely open.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does voluntarism come from?
Voluntarism was formed in English from “voluntary” and the suffix “-ism,” expressing the doctrine or principle of voluntariness. Its deeper roots lie in Latin voluntas, meaning “will” or “willingness,” and voluntarius, meaning “willing” or “voluntary.” The English word became established in the early 19th century and was subsequently used in philosophical, theological, and educational contexts.
Related word forms
How voluntarism is actually used
Voluntarism is formal and specialized. It occurs chiefly in philosophy, theology, education, and discussions of voluntary participation; in general speech, “voluntary” or “volunteer” is often more natural.
Easily confused with voluntarism
Voluntaryism more specifically emphasizes voluntary service or support, whereas voluntarism is broader and can concern voluntary action, cooperation, or freedom of choice as a philosophical principle.