Is everything that happens in life predetermined? Why or why not?

[Anonymous]

I've been thinking lately if destiny really exists ir not, if destiny exists for example, in a contest scenario, no matter how I prepare or work hard for it, if another person is destined to win despite of not putting the same work as me, is it fair? Just because they're destined, they'd come off the best. Do you think destiny exists? Why or why not?

[Kaamraj]

Everything in life depends on probabilities. When you step outside to walk your dog, there is a chance that you will be struck in the head by a lightning bolt and offed, however miniscule. There is a chance that you may get cancer in the next five years. However, there are ways in which we can alter those probabilities and make sure that things are in our favor. Using the earlier examples; if it's raining and thunder outside, then dont go out. Eat healthy, and exericse, dont smoke and you've just reduced your chance of getting cancer.

You cannot forsee every threat or oppertunity; however you can act to mitigate or take advantage of them. However, there are some things that you just cannot avoid, and if you can't avoid them then there's no use worrying about them. You can be in the beset of shape and still get cancer, or hit on the head by a bolt from the blue. So that's how I see fate and pre-determination; humans coasting in a river of chance, you can steer you can navigate but if there is something beyond your control, then its just that.

[jshm2]

It's not predetermined like a recipe or road map. Rather it's more of a script and role. You win the oscar or wooden spoon depending on how well you act out your role.

Hence why even identical twins can lead very different lives, despite having similar circumstances.

[SamA_nold]

Depends how you view it. Technically, in that case, the situation would not have been fair in your favor. However, based on your perspective, you could say that that path you travelled was a training moment for a bigger destiny.

[Apple1996]

I think God has everyone path already layed out for them. Everyone thinks we have choices to change things but there is really something bigger running the show.

[TurboKid]

I lean towards determinism since we kind of have to assume causal factors in order to investigate things and explain them, including human behavior. I think a lot of people have difficulty with this concept though like if there's no free will, what's the point of even trying? From my perspective, it makes no difference whether or not we can truly choose or whether we just have the illusion of choice, but I think that's a very difficult thing for many people to accept.

[TurboKid]

As for fairness, I think your life will become a whole lot more peaceful if you accept the notion that the world isn't magically steered by some cosmic force ensuring fairness for everyone, and at least not in this life. Yet it's also rather impossible to tell what is and isn't fair. After all, we can't live each other's entire lives to judge what we should or should not deserve. We can only live our own and that gives a massive blindspot about other people and what they have to go through.

[boggboss]

I would take it even further and say that life is easier living once u understand that fairness is not a tangible force thats out there its a concept that humans invented as a way to make people feel we are the same yet its not a real thing

[TurboKid]

@boggboss I often think an obsession with fairness is ripe for conflict, like two lovers quarrelling with each other endlessly but they both believe the other is being unfair. Usually just leads to a bitter breakup. So I think much more productive is trying to shift the focus away from how to make things fair and focus instead on how to make things better.

[boggboss]

I completely agree👍🏽

[Frank_Woods]

I think believing in determinism is a pessimistic view on life. There are some things you have little or no control over, like being born, getting sick, etc. But there are so many things you are free to choose. I don't believe in fate. I believe in self-determination. God doesn't choose the path for you. He provides you the resources to choose what to do with your life.

[ohshee]

I do believe there is a destiny but I also believe in cause and effect look up that word cause and effect and what you understand that you understand that everything is tied together

[Anonymous]

No, destiny does not exist. It would require a supreme being who planned everything in advance, and that supreme being doesn't exist.