Does Everything happen for a reason?

Beautiful Question Project PHL 103 Erica Michalak Does Everything happen for a reason?

What Makes Things Happen? • Does everything happen because a prior event allowed/prevented it to happen? • Are humans allotted their own free will and determine what happens all on their own? • Where does the complex theory of determinism fit into someone’s life?

My View on the Topic • Personally I do believe everything happens for a reason however I’ve never done in depth research as to why things happen or even why I think so. • Prior to investigating this topic, I never knew they’re were so many different views and theories on it. • These different takes on why things happen they the way they do intrigued my very much and definitely fueled my motivation to continue this project.

Interview With a Friend Me • Why do you think everything happens for a reason? • Is they’re a certain comfort aspect that goes along with believing this? C.S. • “It’s funny to see how things always turn out the way they’re supposed to in the end. Every situation tends to work out for the best.” • “Yes I feel there is. It kind of gives you a little extra hope that things will get better when you’re in a really hard situation.”

Interview With a Friend Cont… Me • Can you tell me an example of a situation that you believed happened for a reason? C.S. • “Initially when I began college I attended Marist in New York. I didn’t like it at all and ended up transferring to URI second semester. I in turn was randomly assigned a roommate who ended becoming one of my closest friends. Although I had a rocky start to college, it turned out great and if I never attended Marist first semester, I would have never met my roommate and became friends with her.”

A Look Into Determinism • Determinism is defined as, “the belief that all events are caused by things that happened before them and that people have no real ability to make choices or control what happens” • During one of our more recent lessons we encountered this topic and learned about it. I found it to be very interesting and also a great addition to answering my beautiful question.

Is It Supportive or Not? • Determinism does support the theory that everything happens for a reason however to a slight extreme. • Through research and personal experience, we all do have ability to make our own decisions without everything being planned out for us. People live life day by day and if plans were set for a lifetime, how interesting could that be?

The “Average” Path of Life

A Spiritual Take On Life Events • As told by Mira Kirshenbaum, God plays a huge role in determining how things play out for people. He is the constant stabilizer and is always looking out for you even if you don’t realize it. • Her book is a great tool as it is spiritually driven yet neutral and does not force God upon the reader. She simply uses him to reinforce her statements which can apply to the spiritual audience.

Views From an Atheist • Christopher Hitchens, a modern day atheist, does not believe in God nor the idea that a higher power has anything to do with the way we live our lives. • He thinks things happen by chance and we are creatures of our own free will. We decide what happens in our lives without any “help” from an outside force.

Let’s Ask The General Public! • While going along in my research, I came across a website, debate.org, that allows various topics and questions to be debated. Anyone can anonymously post their thoughts and opinions about the question while also voting yes or no. • On this day of April 16th at 4:30pm, 56% of responders voted “yes” that everything happens for a reason while the remaining 44% say no.

Quotes From the Public • Everything happens for a reason “One of my favorite quotes is by Thomas Edison, 'If we did the things we were capable of we would astound ourselves', I think that we are all born with the same potential; to achieve brilliance. We are all destined for greatness, whether we chose to follow that path or not is our own decision, but God does try to help us by giving little prompts in the right direction. This is why I believe everything does happen for a reason, although at the time we may not realize it, God is trying to help us, He never intends to punish us only make us do better. He cannot control the way we react, but He is able to put us into situations that He hopes will influence us to do the right thing, however our own beliefs often affect the way we respond. This is what determines our future.” • No, I don't think everything happens for a reason. “I don't feel that everything happens for a reason or will necessarily lead to something that's positive and good. However, if we have something bad happen to us, in most cases we can use that negative experience to help other people. If we look at it from this perspective, then anything that happens to us can lead to making a positive difference in someone else's life; if others believe it, too, then they'll be there during the bad times for us.”

My Final Perspective • Through completing this project I was able to gain a lot more knowledge about a topic that has always interested me. I think it’s great I was able to do this because I was also able to strengthen my opinion and better defend it. • I’ve come to the conclusion that things that have happened in our past and that are even currently happening right now, all play a role in how we will make our next move. The choices we make define our lives indefinitely. Life has a purpose, it may be drastically different from person to person, but someone’s existence is not simply unworthy or meaningless. Events occur that change people, whether that be for a moment or for the rest of their lives. Like many have said, it’s all about how we react to situations. I find this to be true and like to think I make the best out of most situations. Also like the interview I conducted, I too find a comfort in knowing things will get better during tough times and tomorrow is a new day filled with new possibilities.

Works Cited • S, C. Personal interview. 14 Apr. 2014. • "Do you believe that everything happens for a reason?." The Premier Online Debate Website. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Apr. 2014. <http://www.debate.org/opinions/do-you-believe-that-everything-happens-for-a-reason>. • Kirshenbaum, Mira. "Everything Happens for a Reason -- by Mira Kirshenbaum." Everything Happens for a Reason -- by Mira Kirshenbaum. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Apr. 2014. <http://www.chestnuthillinstitute.com/books/ehfar/excerpt.php>. • "determinism." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 16 Apr. 2014. <http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/determinism>.

Does Everything happen for a reason?