fortuitism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

'Fortuitous' is an adjective meaning 'happening by chance, especially by a lucky chance.' 'Fortuitism' is a noun referring to a formal doctrine or belief system that posits chance as a primary causal force, especially in evolution or cosmology.

No. While chance (e.g., random mutations) plays a key role in modern evolutionary theory (neo-Darwinism), the label 'fortuitism' is often applied to more extreme, often outdated, positions that see chance as the *sole* explanatory principle, rejecting natural selection's filtering role.

It would be highly unusual and likely confusing. It is a specialized academic term.

The term is often used historically to describe the views of thinkers like the ancient atomists (e.g., Lucretius) or certain 19th-century figures who proposed chance-driven evolution before or in opposition to Darwinian natural selection.

The belief, doctrine, or teaching that chance events are the main cause of evolutionary or natural development, rather than intentional design or necessity.

Fortuitism is usually academic, philosophical, technical in register.

Fortuitism: in British English it is pronounced /fɔːˈtjuːɪtɪzəm/, and in American English it is pronounced /fɔːrˈtuːɪtɪzəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.