uncaused
/'ʌn'kɔ:t/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- 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
- 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