The idea that belief systems like genetic, economic, or technological determinism—the notion that our fate is rigidly set by biology, class, or machines—are themselves powerful social constructions. By persuading people that outcomes are inevitable and systems cannot be changed, these theories become self-fulfilling prophecies that maintain the status quo. The construction of determinism is a tool to discourage agency and alternatives.
Example: "The CEO said, 'The market demands layoffs; we have no choice.' That's the Theory of Constructed Determinism. 'The market' is a constructed abstraction, but by framing its demands as an immutable natural law, he constructs a reality where his profitable choice appears as an inevitable force, absolving him of responsibility for the human cost."
by Abzu Land January 31, 2026
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