The Forms of Historical Determinism

1
The Forms of Historical Determinism
2
Determinism

• The idea that what happens has to happen as a
  result of some causes (eg. natural laws, divine
  plan, human nature, social forces)
• Many deterministic theories are incompatible with
  the notion of individual freedom

3
Historical Determinism

• Social and intellectual forces govern human
  action
• These forces change over time
• Our values are determined by our social and
  intellectual beliefs
• Our social and intellectual beliefs are
  determined by scientific and technological
  developments

4
Economic Determinism

• Karl Marx believed that the way people live and
  their beliefs are determined by the relations of
  production
• "The handmill gives you society with the feudal
  lord the steam mill, society with the industrial
  capitalist."
• Marxs theory is also known by the name
  Dialectical Materialism

5
Technological Determinism

• Like economic determinism, but does not place
  emphasis on economic structures as the source of
  social change
• A belief that society will always take full
  advantage of any technological capacity and will
  in turn be shaped by these technologies