A reason for everything

[Vitam12]

Does there have to be a reason for everything - or do bad things just happen?

[237SJ]

Bad things just happen but when I`m in dire straits, I feel better if I can convince myself that there is a reason for everything.

[Old_Geezer]

There need be no reason, but there might be.

[Vitam12]

I suppose thinking there is a reason gives hope that we are on a predetermined path to something better

[Old_Geezer]

You prefer predeterminism to free will then ?

[HowardKennitby]

depends on what you mean by reason.

[naomi24]

Good things just happen too - or don't you count those?

[DTCwordfan]

suggest you research one of the basics of philosophy, determinism vs. probalism.

I am going to say nothing more as it has to be your journey, esp if you have two-thirds of a brain.

[naomi24]

DT, consider your legs smacked!

[Vitam12]

I would pefer free will, but sometimes you cannot change the path we find ourselves on - Somethings are out of our control. Predeterminism offers support and hope. Yes, I focus on the good, but do these happen for a reason too?

[naomi24]

Pre-determination suggests a designer - and since I don't believe in a designer, I don't believe in pre-determination. We have to deal with life as it comes.

[NOX]

Some things can't be avoided like some diseases and unforseen events but most things you are the master of your own destiny although things might not always go as you suppose. The very worst thing that ever happened in my whole life came about because I was trying to help someone- no good deed goes unpunished.

[RATTER15]

Of course there is a reason for things happening but not a predetermined one.

[Old_Geezer]

Predeterminism doesn't suggest a designer to me. It's not necessarily an intended goal, just a path one can not escape.

One likes to believe the conscious makes it's own decisions; however recent brain scans have suggested a decision is made before the conscious has knowingly made it. So maybe it is all an illusion. Perhaps we think we have come to our own decision but it is the decision we were bound to make because of who we are and where we find ourselves.