Do you believe in luck?

Discussion in 'General Philosophy' started by wegs, Sep 3, 2019.

  1. wegs Matter and Pixie Dust Valued Senior Member

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    In looking up the definition of luck - it means when a “force” brings about adversity or good fortune into your life (ie good or bad luck)

    I’ve never given much thought to the technical definition of luck, but what is this “force?”

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    Yet, another definition has luck meaning random chance occurrences that happen - good or bad - through no fault of one’s own.

    That definition makes sense. So is the sum total of our lives a cross between the decisions we make and ...luck? (in your opinion)
     
    Last edited: Sep 3, 2019
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  3. DaveC426913 Valued Senior Member

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    I do not believe in luck.
    I do not generally believe there are any paranormal or supernatural forces at work.

    That's doesn't stop me from using luck in conversation, I just recognize that it is a product of subjective selection of normal probabilitive events.

    I do believe that anyone who believes in luck believes in a supernatural guiding entity of some sort, simply by definition. (Some find luck more palatable a belief than God or Mother Nature or whatever, but "a rose by any other name"...)

    It simply means something independent that acts on the real world, altering events and outcomes.
     
    Last edited: Sep 3, 2019
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  5. RainbowSingularity Valued Senior Member

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    http://sciforums.com/threads/rivers-goodbye-thread.162347/#post-3598382

    some say you make your own
    the lord lucks those who luck themselves ... little luckers

    chance is a fine thing if you want to try your luck up the back ally with some craps

    nickle n dime shooters will have your pea in other peoples cups for sure

    its not luck then it is.
    it is preferential treatment as a gift from god.
    no luck involved.
    that is Racist !
    that makes god racist
    and quite obviously sexist
    oh my god (hang on if its my god then i own it) ... oh lord will you buy me a mercedes benz...
     
    Last edited: Sep 4, 2019
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  7. Seattle Valued Senior Member

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    I like this one better "Luck is the phenomenon that defines the experience of notably positive, negative, or improbable events".
     
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  8. RainbowSingularity Valued Senior Member

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    Luck Favors the Bold
    however, the bold tend to have a very high death rate so the true statistics are yet to be published.
     
  9. Seattle Valued Senior Member

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    Luck favors the prepared. The statistics are good on that one.
     
  10. DaveC426913 Valued Senior Member

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    A luck phrase I like:

    "Chance favors the well-prepared."

    I interpret this as an eloquent way of saying We each make our own luck.

    [EDIT] D'OH!
     
  11. wegs Matter and Pixie Dust Valued Senior Member

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    So, do you all think that luck is an illusion? Like a whimsical idea that has no meaning?

    Is it like fate? I could believe in fate.

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    I’m sure we have heard someone say “you’re so lucky...” or we have said it to others, and there’s not much thought behind it. But, we assume that luck plays a role in the good fortune of others, without even meaning to, don’t we?
     
    Last edited: Sep 4, 2019
  12. RainbowSingularity Valued Senior Member

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    = magic
     
  13. billvon Valued Senior Member

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    There are old skydivers, and there are bold skydivers, but there really aren't any old, bold skydivers.
     
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  14. DaveC426913 Valued Senior Member

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    Depends on what you mean.
    Luck is a human conceit. It is useful, in terms of, say, not giving up. But I don't believe it is a thing that alters events.

    Same thing. Belief in a supernatural controlling force.

    Of course. I'm human too. And the world around includes luck - it's just not an exterior phenomenon.
     
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