probabilismn.
/ˈprɒbəbᵻlɪz(ə)m/, /ˈprɒbəbl̩ɪz(ə)m/, U.S. /ˈprɑbəbəˌlɪz(ə)m/ 1. Esp. in Roman Catholic moral theology: the theory that in cases of doubt, any action can be regarded as permissible which is supported by a probable opinion for which the authority of a recognized Doctor of the Church can be cited (even though another opinion may be more probable). Cf. probabiliorism n.Apparently first formulated in 1577 by the Spanish Dominican friar Bartolomé de Medina, an extreme form of the doctrine has been associated since the 17th cent. with the casuistry of the Jesuits.
ΘΚΠ
society > faith > aspects of faith > theology > branches of theology > [noun] > moral theology > probabilist
probabilism1719
1719 J. Gordon Popery against Christianity 187 Probabilism is the Name given to the Casuistry of the Jesuits, which says, that I may safely and lawfully follow an Opinion that is supported by one Author only, altho' it be contrary to Reason and the Doctrines of the Fathers.
1773 J. Campbell Treat. Mod. Faulconry 20 It is well known to the articulating part of mankind, that the Jesuits in general are the declared enemies of trick, cunning, and deceit;—of evasion, prevarication, and probabilism;—of intrigue, politics, and caballing.
1842 W. T. Brande Dict. Sci., Lit. & Art 989/2 Probabilism,..a theory professed by some casuistical divines, chiefly of the Jesuit order, according to which it is lawful to follow a probable opinion in doubtful points, although other opinions may seem to the mind of the inquirer more probable.
1872 W. H. Jervis Gallican Ch. II. v. 164 The doctrine of Probabilism..popularly identified with the Jesuits, did not strictly speaking, originate with this body.
1886 H. Sidgwick Outl. Hist. Ethics iii. 151 To the Jesuits..it seemed indispensible that the confessional should be made attractive by accommodating ecclesiastico-moral laws to worldly needs; and the theory of ‘Probabilism’ supplied a plausible method for effecting this accommodation.
1912 Catholic Encycl. XIV. 701/1 In choosing a medium between Rigorism and Laxism, the Thomistic school has been Antiprobabilistic and generally has adopted Probabiliorism... Some defended..Probabilism cum compensatione.
1979 Dædalus Summer 8 Jesuit ‘probabilism’ taught that if any authority can be cited to justify an action, then it is permissible to perform it.
2003 C. E. Gudorf in D. C. Maguire Sacred Rights ii. 71 Today, in the face of divergent theological opinion, the Catholic laity has clearly chosen to implement traditional Catholic moral probabilism.
2. Philosophy.
a. The theory that there is no absolutely certain knowledge, but that there may be sufficient probable grounds of belief, esp. for practical purposes.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > philosophy > epistemology > [noun] > relativism > probablism
probabilism1876
1876 J. J. Elmendorf Outl. Lect. on Hist. Philos. v. 59 C[arneades] develops probabilism. He distinguishes in sensation, the objective and the subjective; in the latter relation, sensation is probable.
1902 J. M. Baldwin Dict. Philos. & Psychol. II. 344/1 The term probabilism is also used to describe the theory which mediates between a sceptical view regarding knowledge, and the needs of practical life.
1921 Philos. Rev. 30 456 He answers these questions..by a metaphysical probabilism, which undoubtedly leaves plenty of room for individual and social differences.
1988 B. Hilton Age of Atonement v. 174 In a period of social and ideological upheaval, Butler's probabilism gave an uncanny sense of relief.
b. spec. Any of various theories stating that the laws of nature or those governing a particular field are not deterministic but merely give probabilities or statistical tendencies; this as a phenomenon.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > probability, likelihood > [noun] > theory of
probabilism1929
the mind > mental capacity > philosophy > logic > logical truth > [noun] > terms relating to probability theory
equiprobability1921
Spielraum1921
probabilism1929
proposal1932
probabilification1936
1929 Jrnl. Philos. 26 301 The same tendency shows..in the probabilism which is creeping into speculative physics via Heisenberg.
1951 Trans. & Papers (Inst. Brit. Geographers) 17 11 As a logical basis for a scientific human geography Probabilism differs little from Possibilism, for it maintains that human phenomena are in part determined.
1965 H. Sprout & M. Sprout Ecol. Perspective vi. 107 A familiar version of behavioral model, derived largely, one suspects, from classical economics, might be called ‘common-sense probabilism’.
1970 L. J. Cohen Implications of Induction i. 17 Some of Popper's arguments against Carnap are examples of anti-probabilism at this level.
2000 H. Keuzenkamp Probability, Econometrics & Truth ix. 230 Unlike Peirce, who was able to anticipate the full consequences of probabilism, Keynes is a determinist.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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