Contingentness

/kənˈtɪn.dʒənt.nəs/ noun

Definition

The quality or characteristic of being dependent on chance, circumstances, or conditions rather than being inevitable.

Etymology

From contingent (adjective) plus -ness suffix. The root Latin contingere means 'to touch or happen by chance.' -ness is Old English, the primary suffix for converting adjectives to abstract nouns.

Kelly Says

Contingentness is what makes life feel unpredictable and exciting—quantum physicists use this concept to explain why we can't perfectly predict the future, even with perfect information about the present.

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