I am not religious or spiritual, so -- yes -- I believe in a universe governed by natural laws that are deterministic (or possibly, in some cases, random). When people here say "No, things don't happen for a reason," they are similarly outing themselves as Determinists.
Ultimately, the only way this discussion can go is "No, things don't happen for a reason (though they do have a cause)" followed by, "You're wrong! Things DO happen for a reason." Those of us who take the former view have science on our side, but there are plenty of people who disagree with us.
I suspect that when most people say, "Everything happens for a reason," they mean "Everything happens for a GOOD reason." But we live in a universe of limited resources, so it's almost impossible for something to be good for one person without hurting someone else.
I am joking in a way. I don't think most people really think this. Frankly, I think "everything happens for a reason" is -- most of the time -- something people say to comfort themselves, without thinking it through logically.
Ultimately, the only way this discussion can go is "No, things don't happen for a reason (though they do have a cause)" followed by, "You're wrong! Things DO happen for a reason." Those of us who take the former view have science on our side, but there are plenty of people who disagree with us.
I suspect that when most people say, "Everything happens for a reason," they mean "Everything happens for a GOOD reason." But we live in a universe of limited resources, so it's almost impossible for something to be good for one person without hurting someone else.
I am joking in a way. I don't think most people really think this. Frankly, I think "everything happens for a reason" is -- most of the time -- something people say to comfort themselves, without thinking it through logically.
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