PROBABILISM

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does probabilism mean? 

• PROBABILISM (noun)
  The noun PROBABILISM has 2 senses:

1. a Roman Catholic system of casuistry that when expert opinions differ an actor can follow any solidly probable opinion that he wishes even though some different opinion might be more probable

2. (philosophy) the doctrine that (since certainty is unattainable) probability is a sufficient basis for belief and action

  Familiarity information: PROBABILISM used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PROBABILISM (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A Roman Catholic system of casuistry that when expert opinions differ an actor can follow any solidly probable opinion that he wishes even though some different opinion might be more probable

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Hypernyms ("probabilism" is a kind of...):

casuistry (moral philosophy based on the application of general ethical principles to resolve moral dilemmas)

Derivation:

probabilistic (of or relating to the Roman Catholic philosophy of probabilism)

Sense 2

Meaning:

(philosophy) the doctrine that (since certainty is unattainable) probability is a sufficient basis for belief and action

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Hypernyms ("probabilism" is a kind of...):

philosophical doctrine; philosophical theory (a doctrine accepted by adherents to a philosophy)

Domain category:

philosophy (the rational investigation of questions about existence and knowledge and ethics)

Derivation:

probabilistic (of or relating to or based on probability)