Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Having no cause or apparent cause: Existing or occurring without any identifiable or discernible cause; not brought about by any preceding event or agent.
   • Self-existent; inherent: Existing of itself, not dependent on an external cause for its existence.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:
  • Philosophers debate whether the universe itself could be an uncaused event.
  • She viewed her sudden inspiration as an uncaused and spontaneous gift.
  • The reference describes "artistic invention" as something that should not be considered uncaused.

Advanced Usage

• In philosophy and theology: Often used in discussions about the origin of the universe or the concept of a "first cause."
  • The argument for an uncaused first cause is central to some cosmological arguments for the existence of God.
• In discussions of chance or spontaneity: Used to describe events that seem to arise from nowhere.
  • He believed in uncaused acts of free will, completely independent of prior influences.

Variants and Related Words

• Causeless (adj): A direct synonym, meaning having no cause.
  • The two terms are often used interchangeably in philosophical texts.
• Uncausedness (n): The state or quality of being uncaused (less common).
  • The uncausedness of the initial singularity is a major topic in cosmology.

Synonyms

• Fortuitous: Happening by chance rather than intention.
• Spontaneous: Arising from a natural impulse or without external stimulus.
• Acausal: Not involving causation; lacking a cause-and-effect relationship.

Antonyms

• Caused: Brought into existence by an agent or event.
• Effected: Successfully brought about.
• Generated: Produced or created.

Related Phrases and Concepts

• Uncaused cause: A philosophical concept for a primary cause that is itself not caused by anything else.
  • Theologians often refer to God as the uncaused cause of all existence.
• Ex nihilo: A Latin phrase meaning "out of nothing," often associated with the concept of uncaused creation.

Adjective

1. having no cause or apparent cause
   • a causeless miracle
   • fortuitous encounters--strange accidents of fortune
   • we cannot regard artistic invention as...uncaused and unrelated to the times