fatalist
/'feitəlist/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun:
- A person who believes in or accepts fatalism: A fatalist is someone who submits to the belief that all events are predetermined and inevitable, and that human beings are powerless to change their destiny.
- A person who displays resignation to fate: A fatalist often exhibits a passive attitude, accepting whatever happens as unavoidable.
Adjective (less common):
- Relating to or characteristic of fatalism: Describing a perspective, attitude, or belief system that aligns with the doctrine of fatalism.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- As a fatalist, she believed the accident was meant to happen and saw no point in worrying about what she could have done differently.
- The fatalist accepted the job loss without complaint, convinced it was simply his fate.
- Adjective:
- His fatalist outlook prevented him from taking any proactive steps to improve his health.
- The novel explores a fatalist philosophy where characters feel trapped by destiny.
Advanced Usage
- Philosophical Context: In philosophy, a fatalist argues for the logical or theological necessity of all events, often in contrast with beliefs in free will.
- The debate between the theologian and the fatalist centered on the concept of divine predestination.
- Cultural/Historical Context: The term can describe adherents of specific philosophical or religious traditions that emphasize predestination.
- Ancient Stoics are sometimes described as fatalists for their belief in a rational, unchangeable cosmic order.
Variants and Related Words
- Fatalism (n): The belief that all events are predetermined and inevitable.
- His fatalism made him surprisingly calm in the face of crisis.
- Fatalistic (adj): Exhibiting a fatalist attitude; resigned to fate.
- She gave a fatalistic shrug when asked about the uncertain future.
- Fatality (n): 1. A death caused by an accident, disaster, or illness. 2. The quality of being destined or inevitable.
- The crash resulted in multiple fatalities. (Note: This is a distinct, though related, word.)
Synonyms
- Determinist: A person who believes all events, including human actions, are determined by causes external to the will. (Note: While related, determinism and fatalism are distinct philosophical concepts.)
- Predestinarian: A person who believes in divine predestination.
- Resigned person: Someone who accepts something undesirable as inevitable.
Antonyms
- Voluntarist: A person who emphasizes the will as the fundamental factor in experience or in the world.
- Activist: A person who campaigns to bring about political or social change; one who believes in taking direct action.
- Optimist: A person who tends to be hopeful and confident about the future or the success of something.
Related Phrases and Idioms
- A fatalist attitude: A mindset characterized by acceptance of fate.
- With a fatalist attitude, he boarded the ship, unconcerned about the storm warnings.
- To be a fatalist about something: To adopt a fatalistic view regarding a specific situation.
- "I'm a fatalist about these things," she said. "If it's meant to be, it will happen."
Adjective
- of or relating to fatalism
- a fatalist person
Noun
- anyone who submits to the belief that they are powerless to change their destiny