I don't mean a reason such as saying, this action was caused by such and such a cause, rather a purpose for why all these causes and effects are happening on grand scale.
Say a very influencial Prophet were to come to Earth. Would the laws of the universe that are already in motion and moving along there set and unpreventable course allow the Prophet to fulfill the purpose they have on Earth. The word of this prophet causes other effects that had to happen and are unpreventable. Wouldn't this mean that no matter how many opposers set against him/her they would litterally be invincable until they have fulfilled their purpose.
What about other people like Hitler, he believed himself to be invincible, he was prevented from commiting suicide and dogded numerous close calls. Is this a coincedence or did he have to fulfill his lifes work. Perhaps even the belief that he was invincible influenced his behavior.
2007-05-10 09:57:50 · 11 answers · asked by Michael 3 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
No. Everything happens for a reason related to physical laws, but not for a purpose.
It is a common misconception that if an individual event has a low probablility of occurrence, that it's individual success could only have been determined by supreme intervention. That's like saying that since the odds of an individual of winning a lottery are millions to one, there will never be a lottery winner. It's not the case.
The Hitler example is a good demonstration. Hitler is simply the one that survived and is remembered. You don't know of the "hitlers" that died at childbirth, or the ones that succeeded in committing suicide at an early age, or the ones that were killed before they could come to power. Nor do you know the ones that were not born into an era or region that would support a Hitler. Hitler, the man, is the one who survived among many to become who he was, when he was. However improbable that an individual would encounter such "luck", it was entirely probably and in fact, likely, that someone like Hitler would appear. And through the normal course of nature, not supreme intervention.
2007-05-10 10:46:39 · answer #1 · answered by freebird 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
First, Physics:
The physical universe, as far as we can tell, generally adheres to 'strict laws.' But there are many aspects of it (e.g. quantum physics) where the outcome of something is NOT known, knowable or predictable until AFTER it happens....so I could contst the assertion that "the universe follows strict laws."
At least I could arge against the idea that if you knew EVERYTHING about the universe and about all its 'laws,' that you could then predict what the universe would look like in 5 years, 5 days, or even 5 seconds. Our current understanding of quantum physics and thermodynamics suggest that kind of predictive certainty is NOT possible.
Next, Philosphy:
There is also a question here as to whether or not people have free will, the ability to make a choice. Even if their choices are highly prejudiced by past experience, illness mental or physical, or genetics - do you really believe that your choices are entirely determined by your past influences?
I don't believe that either - perhaps I've been deluded into believing i have some free choice. I am also of the belief that I was created "in the image of God" - meaning that I am able to make choices "above the noise of nature." This may be one of the significant differences between us and animals.
But some people choose to believe that they are merely blobs of protoplasm and their feelings, thoughts and thus their actions are all determined by outside events. This is attractive because it frees me of all responsibility. I do not believe that descrives humanity.
2007-05-10 14:12:50 · answer #2 · answered by Richard of Fort Bend 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't believe everything happens for a reason. If everything did happen for a reason, why would little children be run over and killed in the street and why would they die from cancer and other diseases? There is no reasoning in that. It is far too cruel. Why would older couples be robbed and shot to death in their homes by drug addicts? There are so many questions and reasons why I don't believe that everything happens for a reason. It just is not common sense for me to believe it. It all depends on if you are looking at the big picture or just your personal life. In your personal life, you can justify things happening for a reason because a person's life is so much smaller than the big picture but when you put all the little pictures together you have the big picture and I arrive back to the same conclusion. I don't think things happen for a reason. Why would there be a reason for nonsensical things like clothes you wear and getting up five minutes later or earlier. That's just nonsense. Come on. Use your common sense.
2016-05-19 23:47:47 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The hyperdimensional universe in which we are embedded is a complex system of cause and effect which no one is capable of totally grasping. The reality around us responds to our state of mind and beliefs about "it" whether we are concious of them or not - also in a complex chain of causality. The great mystics master this system.
Someone who comes here with a purpose (and it could be argued that we all do) may or may not fulfill that purpose depending on their ability to overcome the learned belief system caused by relationships in the environment. The more advanced they are, it could be argued, the better choices they will make as to environmental factors and the better chance of accomplishing their mission - like a Buddha or Christ, etc.
Certainty is powerful. We live according to what we believe or have faith in, so tyrants can achieve great power and do great harm if we let them. Feelings of invincibility are innately powerful, but without "purification" or self awareness they will ultimately distroy themselves as did Hitler. Stalin is a better example of invincibility. Once he maneuvered himself into power, he engineered a self-perpetuating despotic system that protected him for decades and allowed him to kill millions more than Hitler.
2007-05-10 10:52:24 · answer #4 · answered by MysticMaze 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Over the years, I have come to believe that there is a purpose for everything that happens. Obviously we dont always know what that purpose is, but when you look at the "large picture", things work out the way they were meant to. From my memory of Hitler, he did eventually commit suicide and he certainly did think he was omnipotent. You certainly are a deep thinker. It's nice to see that hasnt gone out of style.
2007-05-10 10:37:05 · answer #5 · answered by techtwosue 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, the universe has laws. Everything that happens happened for a reason by someone to create an effect. Nothing is pore powerful to a being than his being on purpose.
2007-05-10 10:07:17 · answer #6 · answered by robthomasjr2000 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i agree with what your saying, but can't you also say like the philosopher Radhakrishnan that life is like a card game.. you life your life with the cards that you are given... so even if a prophet came to earth, the humans would still have a choice to list.. yes Hilter had a lot of negative effects on the world, but he wasn't invincible he just was precieved that way, the world war had some postive out comes with out hilter the ecomony would not be what it is today..
2007-05-10 11:06:17 · answer #7 · answered by Jen M 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Every thing happens by purpose . Method cannot be the ultimate reason of something happening .We live and propagate by purpose not for a purpose .
2007-05-10 22:11:13 · answer #8 · answered by Prince Prem 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yep...that is what I have been trying to tell everyone. The Iraq war happen for a purpose. I'm just trying to figure out what the purpose is.
2007-05-10 10:18:47 · answer #9 · answered by F.U. BUDDY 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Are you saying the Law of Gravity has a purpose....to attract? Can we call that 'pre-ordained' too?
2007-05-10 12:39:25 · answer #10 · answered by Its not me Its u 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋