Freud’s psychoanalytic model has been heavily debated over the years as to whether it is based on a deterministic view of human nature. While many theorists believe that Freudian theory is grounded in determinism, others argue that the theory proposes a more fluid, flexible approach to understanding mental illness and personality development (Gadamer, 1975). To understand this debate better, one must first consider what determinism means in relation to Freud. Determinism is defined as “the philosophical doctrine which states that all events are predetermined by forces beyond individual control” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). This suggests that any behavior an individual displays or any mental illness they may suffer from is predetermined and cannot be changed without outside intervention.