Legal Definitions - determinism

Definition: Determinism is a philosophy that suggests that human behavior is mainly controlled by preexisting conditions, such as family or environmental factors, and is not influenced by will.

Example: Let's say that a person grows up in a violent household where they witness abuse and aggression on a daily basis. According to determinism, this person's behavior is likely to be influenced by their upbringing, and they may be more prone to violent behavior themselves.

Explanation: This example illustrates determinism because it suggests that the person's behavior is determined by their environment and experiences, rather than their own free will. In other words, the person may not choose to be violent, but rather, their upbringing has conditioned them to behave in a certain way.