Definition of the word fatalist

The term "fatalist" comes from the philosophical concept of fate or predestination, which assumes that all events in the world are predetermined by some higher power or force beyond human control. Fatalists believe that their actions and destinies are predetermined and hence cannot be changed, no matter how much they try to influence them. The word "fatalist" is derived from the Latin fatuma, meaning "destiny" or "doom," which in turn is derived from the Greek moira, meaning "portion" or "allotted share." The term "fatalism" first emerged in the Enlightenment period as a criticism of deterministic philosophies espoused by thinkers such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Baruch Spinoza. In English, the word "fatalist" was first used in the 18th century, originally to describe a person who attributed everything to fate or destiny. It came to be associated with a specific philosophical position, that of fatalism, which assumed that all events in the world were predetermined by an eternal, indivisible, and unalterable principle or force. This view was contrasted with that of determinism, which held that events were caused by a series of necessary conditions or causes. Today, "fatalist" is often used interchangeably with "determinist," though it remains associated with a passive and fatalistic mindset, where one accepts their fate or circumstances without attempting to change them. In contrast, determinists acknowledge that events are predetermined, but they also assert that they can influence and shape those events through their actions and decisions, rather than submitting to an inexorable or unchangeable fate.