Fluffy
A fool
1. Ill just go over again why I think that this form of fate does not give anything purpose because its very difficult to explain and I dont think I have done so clearly yet. If I were to flip a coin, as in the example earlier, the outcome is said to have a, roughly, 50% chance of happening (if we ignore freak incidences for a second); either heads or tails. This appears to show that fate doesnt happen since this clearly shows 2 possible outcomes. However, when that coin is flipped, all of the factors affecting that coin will cause that coin to land in a certain way. This is to the extent that if I were to go back in time and flip the coin again, I would get the exact same result if I flipped in under the exact same conditions. This totally crushes chance, showing it to be nothing more than a human concept so that we can deal with future events. The coin is "fated" to turn up whatever side it does turn up. Is there any purpose in the coin doing this though? Well purpose implies some kind of will behind it... or at least some kind of intelligence. Does the air resistance affecting the coin WANT the coin to turn up heads? The factors effecting the outcome are totally impartial meaning that the outcome is without purpose. It simply is.1. Actually, it is fate that gives us purpose. I hope I'm not stepping on toes by stating that the general definition of 'fate' amongst most people here, is a predetermined blueprint for our lives, most likely formulated by a higher being/ oversoul/ supernatural idea. By having a pre-planned itinerary for our lives, we have purpose because there are things that we are supposed to accomplish, though we may not know what they are...yet. By rejecting this idea of fate, you are also rejecting purpose, because you are saying that there is nothing specific that you have to do in your lifetime.
2. I think I kind of understand what you're saying here. What happens to you, and the decisions you make, are affected and influenced by your environment and other people around you. I agree with this, however I disagree that your input is 'zero'. The way that your brain functions and processes information, influences all of those outside affects that enter it making them your own. Also, if other people affect you, you can be sure that you affect them. You have just as much input as everyone else, whether you realize it or not.
3. Is this why you like fate? Because you can rely on it by saying, 'everything happens for a reason--its all part of the plan,' during hard times, and because it does, technically, erase guilt?
2. You are right in that we do not have zero imput. My reason for saying this would be because any imput that we do have is still based on something that came before it. Nothing happens without some kind of cause. I have no control over any of these inputs. They control me but not in the sense that they are maneouvering me to do something. Just that I am totally subjected to them. And yes everyone else is totally subjected to anything I do. But then my actions are affected by them... and so on and so on. It is a vicious circle which leaves nobody in control.
3. No this is why I dislike fate completely. I think you can have a reason for life without fate and so I'd rather not rely on fate to give me a reason. If fate were to give me a reason then it would have to come in a very different form than I am describing at the moment. I can see the erasing of guilt as enormously costly to society and a very sad thing indeed. Without guilt people would lose their inhibitions and just harm everyone all the time.