Originally Posted by
stjames1_53
Through every philosopher's credo, there is one common thread which remains incalculable. The Human Condition.
There are so many variables about Man, that the calculations have to keep constantly changing.
To a degree, Man is predictable, his actions may appear to follow a common path, but each has his own reason for being "there." That is what we refer to as Individualism. These types might have attributes that tend to lean on the "Spiritual" side of thinking.
I believe there is no such thing as coincidence. Some things appear random, but in fact they fit into a big picture. Cause and effect. For every action, there is a reaction. (It may not be equal nor opposite)
Things you thought you got away with so many years ago that you forgot they ever happened, show up and bite you in the ass, today. And, sometimes at the worst time possible.
But if there's no such thing as coincidence, then how do we explain death? Is the time of one's demise preordained? Are the things that follow as consequence, part of that plan? Or coincidence? Few people actually talk about death. It is a rather unpleasant topic.
Take a snapshot of a graveside funeral. There could be large number of people there for the services, or it could be just a few. Regardless, each has their reasons for being there. Some share commonalities up to and including some way of having a relationship with the deceased (work, family, friends, etc.) The same is in our work lives and personal lives.
These people are not there by accident. You meet the people you are meant to meet at the time you are supposed to meet. Those people at the funeral, some you don't know who they are or how they knew the deceased, but they are there for a reason.
So, in balance, I really don't believe there is anything called coincidence when you examine a "thing" from every possible angle, then look beyond. If you examine cause and effect for a particular event in your life, you can see what led up to that event, and results. Were the results a matter of coincidence, some random act that led nowhere? Or did your decision have a small domino effect? Not that anyone may have been "knocked over" but maybe benefited from your choice. Would that have been a coincidence?
Maybe you helped someone at some point in their lives and it changed them in a positive way, and you never knew it? Is that a coincidence?
Once you get a handle on that, adopt this thinking externally.
Spiritually, and intellectually, I know there is no such thing as coincidence.
To me, it is the ultimate philosophy.