"By an amazing coincidence the Sun and the Moon appear to be the same size in the Earth's sky". I am paraphrasing a source whose name I fail to remember, but it is true about the Sun and Moon. I wonder then, if it isn't a coincidence, what would people that don't believe in coincidence be imagining?
2006-08-08 01:38:12 · 9 answers · asked by Sereny 3 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Chips and Dip
2006-08-08 01:42:22 · answer #1 · answered by Brian P 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There's coincidence due to a common cause, and there's 'mere' coincidence, in which there is no common cause.
When a billiard ball hits two others at once and they both move at once, that's coincidence due to a common cause.
When we happen to be around at the time in the history of the solar system in which the sun and moon appear to be almost exactly the same size in our sky (it was not always that way), then that's mere coincidence - no common cause.
If there are people who think all coincidence has a common cause, then they must go against a whole big chunk of scientific knowledge, and cook up some common cause for the undeniable sun/moon coincidence.
It would be silly to deny all coincidence, because obviously there is coincidence. When two things occur together, that's coincidence - the only question is whether or not there was a common cause.
2006-08-08 13:28:10 · answer #2 · answered by brucebirdfield 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They mean that they believe in the existence of a great cosmic plan, or if you will the plan of a god or gods. They mean that they think there is deliberate reason for why an apparent coincidence occurred and that in reality there wasn't a coincidence. They believe nothing coincides by accident, things that coincide do so because some intellect directed them to do so.
That sun and moon thing... done on purpose by this "intellect".
The fact that I found your question when I did, and gave you this answer... meant to happen... it's all part of the grand scheme.
It's about a 50/50 mix of people who believe in coincidence and those who do not.
Me, I believe in the random accident, I do not believe there is a grand plan.
2006-08-08 05:08:32 · answer #3 · answered by Phil Knight 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Coincidence means that by sheer chance something has happened. There is no order. Things just move along at their own pace. If you don't believe in coincidence, then you most likely believe that something is working behind the scenes, moving things along, and keeping them in order. A greater being of some sort.
Hope that helps!
2006-08-08 01:42:56 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Coincidence implies a randomness. Some people feel the universe is better organized than that
2006-08-08 02:13:16 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Rejecting coincidence means that you are both accepting the notion of order and the rule of cause and effect.
Coincidence is a spin off of the random walk theory.
2006-08-08 02:01:34 · answer #6 · answered by ElOsoBravo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are aware of the holographic effect of our world you realize there are NO coincidences. Usually they are just the manifestation of your own thoughts or your subconscious trying to get your attention on something.
2006-08-08 02:37:26 · answer #7 · answered by American Spirit 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
all things are either a coincidence or they are not... but what does that matter it is just an opinion.. we do no know the purpose of things
2006-08-08 02:53:45 · answer #8 · answered by the holy divine one 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That there is a reason for it, although we may not be aware of it at this point in time.
2006-08-08 04:41:54 · answer #9 · answered by JudasHero 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋