Do you believe in fate?

ChrisD. · 24 Jan 2008 at 22:41

I never used to believe in fate, however a course of things has happened in my life and now I'm not so sure. Just little things, that in the grand scheme of things, all start to add up.

Those who know me more closely know I'm going through a hard time in life right now though things are slowly turning round for me, in very a strange way that entangles with things that have happened in the past, and things that have happened beyond my control. Anyway, I digress. So, do you believe in fate? Asking this reminds me of the Matrix.

Morpheus: I see it in your eyes. You have the look of a man who accepts what he sees because he is expecting to wake up. Ironically, that's not far from the truth. Do you believe in fate, Neo?
Neo: No.
Morpheus: Why not?
Neo: Because I don't like the idea that I'm not in control of my life.

Interested to see what people think about this.

Indy500 · 24 Jan 2008 at 22:42

Perhaps fate is merely the sum of all objects interacting.

Jon Frost · 24 Jan 2008 at 22:43

Life sets you many choices. Once made these will determine your 'fate'.

cheets64 · 24 Jan 2008 at 22:45

Well every action has a reaction.

"Well if I hadn't of dropped my bag I would have been on the train, which I just missed that crashed"

And taking paths in life can lead you to certain things but fate is just like chance.

Indy500 · 24 Jan 2008 at 22:47

cheets64 said:
Well every action has a reaction.

Similar to what I said, ie the laws of physics. However we can't predict what another person will do accurately, which brings in the random aspect.

Heliospherez · 24 Jan 2008 at 22:54

No.

If there was such a thing as fate, we would find a way to change it (and obviously avert death as an eventual outcome) - that will never be possible.

Sinque · 24 Jan 2008 at 23:01

divosuk said:
No.

If there was such a thing as fate, we would find a way to change it (and obviously avert death as an eventual outcome) - that will never be possible.

But if you found a way to change fate, fate would change on it's own and kill you eventually

fonzee · 24 Jan 2008 at 23:06

it exists believe me, i took the blue pill

shredgod · 24 Jan 2008 at 23:12

I believe in Fate and the fact that things in life happen for a reason.

Clinkz · 24 Jan 2008 at 23:12

I prescribe to the terminator rules as far as fate is concerned. Yes, fate exists, but it is no more than what we make it.

Think of a box moving at constant speed in a constant direction. No matter at what point in time you chose to observe it, the box is fated to have a predictable outcome. However, if at any point i act to affect the box's trajectory the box will now exist along a different fated path of determinable outcome.

Thusly, any path as attainable so long as it is desired and steps are taken to get there. Common sense really.This is essentially what each of us does every day. We evulate the difference between an expected outcome, and a desired outcome, and take measures to decrease the disparity between the two. ie the act of strategically manoeuvring to guarantee the best outcome.

Robosapien · 24 Jan 2008 at 23:20

Elaborate? Are you sure these things you talk about aren't more than happy coincidences?

Certain things are 100% predictible - we're all going to die.

Other things aren't - will I have children one day? will I win the lottery?

Do I believe that there is some magical purpose for my life and it will all make sense one day? Nope.

Burnsy2023 · 24 Jan 2008 at 23:21

I equate fate/life to a poker game. You get dealt a hand, it may not be the best, but with determination and inginuity you can still win the game.

Make of that what you will.

Burnsy

Indy500 · 24 Jan 2008 at 23:22

Burnsy2023 said:
I equate fate/life to a poker game. You get dealt a hand, it may not be the best, but with determination and inginuity you can still win the game.

Make of that what you will.

Burnsy

Theres a quote along those lines:

"Your parents make the deck, society makes the rules, but you can still play your own cards"

Burnsy2023 · 24 Jan 2008 at 23:22

sr4470 said:
Theres a quote along those lines:

"Your parents make the deck, society makes the rules, but you can still play your own cards"

I quite like that

Burnsy

Clinkz · 24 Jan 2008 at 23:23

divosuk said:
No.

If there was such a thing as fate, we would find a way to change it (and obviously avert death as an eventual outcome) - that will never be possible.

Why would avoiding death be a logical outcome of altering your fate?

Indy500 · 24 Jan 2008 at 23:25

Burnsy2023 said:
I quite like that

Burnsy

My old neighbour had it pinned on his wall.

Robosapien · 24 Jan 2008 at 23:27

Clinkz said:
Why would avoiding death be a logical outcome of altering your fate?

because death is ultimately your fate.

Clinkz · 24 Jan 2008 at 23:32

Robosapien said:
because death is ultimately your fate.

Death is a certainty regardless of when it occurs. The nature of all things is creation and destruction.

My point is why, when you have achieved the monumentus task of altering your own fate, your first thought is to extend your own life. Surely there are other things you could be doing.

Indy500 · 24 Jan 2008 at 23:33

Clinkz said:
My point is why, when you have achieved the monumentus task of altering your own fate, your first thought is to extend your own life. Surely there are other things you could be doing.

But you give up time for anything else. Extending the time available makes sense, no?

yantorsen · 24 Jan 2008 at 23:38

sr4470 said:
Perhaps fate is merely the sum of all objects interacting.

but the result of an interaction isn't certain