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Single Idea 13106

[from 'Physics' by Aristotle, in 10. Modality / B. Possibility / 7. Chance ]

Full Idea

Some people find there is no such thing as a chance event. ..If someone chanced to come into the city square and met someone he wanted to meet but had not expected, they say the cause was his wanting to go and do business in the square.

Gist of Idea

Maybe there is no pure chance; a man's choices cause his chance meetings

Source

Aristotle (Physics [c.337 BCE], 195b39)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Physics', ed/tr. Waterfield,Robin [OUP 1996], p.42


A Reaction

Aristotle spends the book discussing the problem. There is a clear candidate for an uncaused event here, in the chance meeting of two people. See Idea 13108.

Related Idea

Idea 13108 Chance is a coincidental cause among events involving purpose and choice [Aristotle]