Deterministic refers to the philosophical concept that every event or state of affairs, including human actions, is determined by preceding events in accordance with the natural laws. This implies that given a specific set of conditions, only one outcome is possible, leaving no room for randomness or free will. In a deterministic framework, the universe operates like a well-oiled machine, where every action has a cause. This idea contrasts with indeterminism, which allows for randomness and unpredictability. The implications of determinism can be profound, influencing debates in ethics, science, and the nature of reality itself.