Fatalism in Literature & Literary Theory

Fatalism: Etymology, Meanings and Concept

Etymology/Term:

The term “fatalism” stems from the Latin word “fatum,” meaning “fate” or “that which has been spoken.” Fatalism is a philosophical concept that conveys the belief in an inevitable outcome or destiny predetermined by external forces, often independent of human will or choice. Rooted in the idea that events are preordained and unalterable, fatalism explores the notion of a fixed course of events shaping individual lives and the broader unfolding of history.

Meanings and Concept:

• Predetermined Destiny: Fatalism posits that events, including personal destinies, are predetermined and unavoidable, irrespective of human actions.
• Lack of Free Will: Central to fatalism is the notion that individuals have limited or no control over the unfolding of events, as they are bound by an inexorable course set by external forces.
• Passive Acceptance: Fatalism often involves a passive acceptance of outcomes, as individuals may resign themselves to their fate, considering any attempt to alter events as futile.
• Deterministic Outlook: It reflects a deterministic worldview, asserting that every event, no matter how minute or significant, follows a predetermined path.
• Different from Determinism: While fatalism shares similarities with determinism, it differs in that fatalism does not necessarily imply a chain of causation; rather, it emphasizes the inevitability of outcomes.
• Cultural and Religious Implications: Fatalistic beliefs are found in various cultures and religions, influencing perspectives on life events, death, and the acceptance of circumstances beyond human control.
• Existential Critique: Existentialist philosophy often critiques fatalism, advocating for individual agency, freedom, and the responsibility to create meaning in the face of an uncertain and sometimes seemingly indifferent universe.

Fatalism encapsulates a worldview where events are predestined and individuals navigate their lives within the constraints of a predetermined destiny, prompting philosophical inquiries into free will, agency, and the nature of human existence.

Fatalism: Definition of a Theoretical Term

Fatalism is a theoretical term rooted in the philosophical concept that posits the inevitability and preordained nature of events, suggesting that outcomes are predetermined and independent of human will or intervention. It implies a belief system wherein individuals accept a lack of control over their destinies, perceiving events as fated and unalterable. Fatalism contrasts with notions of free will and agency, presenting a worldview characterized by a passive acknowledgment of an inescapable and predetermined course of events.

Fatalism: Theorists, Works and Arguments

Theorists:

1. Boethius (480-524 CE): Boethius, a Roman philosopher, is known for his work “The Consolation of Philosophy,” where he engages with the concept of fatalism, discussing the relationship between divine foreknowledge and human free will.
2. Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679): Hobbes, in works like “Leviathan,” explored political philosophy and introduced elements of determinism, contributing to discussions on fatalism by considering the impact of deterministic principles on societal structure.
3. David Hume (1711-1776): Hume, a Scottish philosopher, touched on fatalistic ideas in his philosophical inquiries, particularly in discussions about causation and the limitations of human understanding in works such as “A Treatise of Human Nature.”
4. Isaiah Berlin (1909-1997): Berlin, a political theorist, discussed the concept of historical determinism, a form of fatalism, in his essay “Historical Inevitability,” examining the idea that historical events follow an inevitable and predetermined course.

Works:

1. “The Consolation of Philosophy” by Boethius (524 CE): Boethius engages with fatalistic themes in this influential work, discussing the relationship between divine providence and human free will.
2. “Leviathan” by Thomas Hobbes (1651): While primarily a work of political philosophy, Hobbes explores deterministic elements that contribute to discussions on fatalism, especially in relation to the nature of government and social contracts.
3. “A Treatise of Human Nature” by David Hume (1739): Hume’s exploration of causation and his skepticism regarding human knowledge indirectly touch upon fatalistic ideas, challenging conventional notions of cause and effect.
4. “Historical Inevitability” by Isaiah Berlin (1954): In this essay, Berlin critiques the idea of historical determinism, a form of fatalism, by examining the belief that historical events are predetermined and follow an inevitable course.

Arguments:

1. Divine Foreknowledge vs. Free Will: Some theorists, like Boethius, delve into the compatibility of divine foreknowledge and human free will, exploring whether a predetermined destiny is reconcilable with individual agency.
2. Political Determinism: Fatalistic ideas are applied to political philosophy by thinkers such as Hobbes, who considers the deterministic nature of political structures and their impact on societal organization.
3. Skepticism and Causation: Hume’s works contribute to discussions on fatalism by introducing skepticism about the human understanding of causation, challenging assumptions about the predictability of events.
4. Critique of Historical Determinism: Berlin’s arguments involve a critique of historical determinism, highlighting the dangers of fatalistic thinking in the context of understanding and interpreting historical events.

Fatalism: Major Characteristics

1. Inevitability of Events: Fatalism is characterized by the belief that events are predetermined and inevitable, suggesting that outcomes are fated to occur regardless of human actions or interventions.

Example: In a fatalistic worldview, an individual might believe that certain life events, such as the timing of one’s death or major life decisions, are predestined and cannot be altered.

• Passive Acceptance: Fatalism often involves a passive acceptance of one’s destiny without attempting to change or influence the course of events. Individuals may resign themselves to the idea that their actions have little impact on predetermined outcomes.

Example: A fatalistic attitude might lead someone to accept setbacks or challenges without actively seeking solutions, attributing everything to fate.

• Limited Human Agency: Fatalism diminishes the role of human agency, suggesting that individuals have limited or no control over the events that shape their lives. It challenges the idea of free will and emphasizes the overriding influence of external forces.

Example: A fatalistic perspective might lead someone to believe that their efforts to achieve certain goals are futile, as external factors will ultimately determine the outcome.

• Deterministic Worldview: Fatalism aligns with a deterministic worldview, positing that every event, regardless of its scale, follows a predetermined path. It implies a lack of randomness or chance in the unfolding of events.

Example: In a fatalistic perspective, even seemingly random events, such as chance encounters or accidents, are viewed as part of a predetermined course.

• Cultural and Religious Influence: Fatalistic beliefs can be influenced by cultural and religious factors, shaping individuals’ perspectives on destiny, life events, and the acceptance of circumstances beyond human control.

Example: Some religious traditions may incorporate fatalistic elements, suggesting that certain life events are part of a divine plan that individuals should accept without resistance.

• Existential Critique: Existentialist philosophy often critiques fatalism, highlighting the tension between passive acceptance and the existential responsibility to create meaning in the face of uncertainty.

Example: Existentialist literature and philosophy, such as Jean-Paul Sartre’s works, may present characters who resist fatalistic thinking and actively engage in shaping their own destinies.

Fatalism: Relevance in Literary Theories

Literary Theory	Relevance of Fatalism
Existentialism	Fatalism is often critiqued within existentialist literature, as existentialism emphasizes individual agency and the creation of meaning in a seemingly indifferent universe. Characters may resist fatalistic thinking, engaging in active decision-making and shaping their own destinies.
Naturalism	In naturalistic literature, fatalism may be depicted as a deterministic force, shaping characters’ lives and outcomes. Naturalistic works often explore how external influences, beyond individual control, impact the trajectories of characters’ lives, aligning with fatalistic themes.
Tragedy	Fatalism plays a significant role in tragic literature, where characters’ destinies are often preordained, leading to inevitable and often tragic outcomes. The fatalistic elements heighten the sense of inevitability and contribute to the emotional impact of the narrative.
Gothic Literature	In Gothic literature, fatalism can manifest in themes of doom, destiny, and supernatural forces that control characters’ fates. The genre often explores the tension between human agency and the mysterious, fate-like elements that govern the narrative.
Absurdist Literature	Fatalism is a theme in absurdist literature, where characters may grapple with the absurdity of life and the futility of their actions in the face of predetermined outcomes. Absurdist works often highlight the tension between individual striving and the indifferent universe.
Modernist Literature	In modernist literature, fatalism may be explored as a response to the uncertainties of the modern world. Characters may confront predetermined destinies, reflecting the broader sense of disillusionment and loss of control that emerged in the aftermath of World War I and societal upheavals.

Fatalism: Application in Critiques

1. Oedipus Rex by Sophocles

In the critique of “Oedipus Rex,” the theme of fatalism is prevalent as Oedipus, despite his efforts to escape his prophesied destiny, inadvertently fulfills the prophecy of killing his father and marrying his mother. Critics may explore how Oedipus’s tragic downfall exemplifies the inescapable nature of fate, emphasizing the futility of human resistance against preordained outcomes.

• Tess of the d’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy

In Hardy’s “Tess of the d’Urbervilles,” fatalism is woven into the narrative as Tess experiences a series of tragic events beyond her control. Critics may examine how societal expectations, class structures, and external circumstances shape Tess’s fate, emphasizing the deterministic elements that contribute to her tragic destiny.

• Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

In Marquez’s “Chronicle of a Death Foretold,” the title itself suggests a fatalistic theme. Critics may analyze how the predetermined nature of Santiago Nasar’s death influences the narrative structure and character interactions. The novel explores the inevitability of the tragic event, with the community’s awareness and inability to prevent the outcome serving as a commentary on fatalism.

• The Stranger by Albert Camus

In Camus’s “The Stranger,” the protagonist, Meursault, embodies an existential critique of fatalism. Critics may highlight Meursault’s passive acceptance of events and the consequences of his actions as indicative of fatalistic themes. However, existentialist elements in the novel challenge traditional fatalistic notions, emphasizing individual agency and responsibility in the face of an indifferent universe.

Fatalism: Relevant Terms

Similar Terms	Brief Description
Determinism	Events are predetermined, unfolding according to causation.
Predestination	Divine predetermining of individual fates.
Inevitability	Quality of being unavoidable, suggesting a lack of free will.
Predeterminism	Events are decided in advance, leading to their inevitability.
Necessitarianism	Events unfold out of necessity, eliminating alternative outcomes.
Destiny	Predetermined and inevitable course of events.
Deterministic Universe	Fixed, unchanging universe with predetermined laws and outcomes.
Kismet	Urdu/Punjabi/Hindi term for fate, events seen as predetermined.
Doom	Impending fate or calamity, associated with an unavoidable outcome.
Providence	Protective care or guidance of a higher power influencing events.

Fatalism: Suggested Readings

1. Camus, Albert. The Stranger. Vintage, 1989.
2. Hardy, Thomas. Tess of the d’Urbervilles. Penguin Classics, 2003.
3. Marquez, Gabriel Garcia. Chronicle of a Death Foretold. Vintage, 2003.
4. Sophocles. Oedipus Rex. Translated by F. Storr, Project Gutenberg, 2008.
5. Boethius. The Consolation of Philosophy. Translated by H. R. James, Dover Publications, 2001.
6. Hobbes, Thomas. Leviathan. Oxford University Press, 2008.
7. Hume, David. A Treatise of Human Nature. Oxford University Press, 2000.
8. Tolstoy, Leo. War and Peace. Penguin Classics, 2005.
9. Heidegger, Martin. Being and Time. Harper & Row, 1962.