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Superstition and Believing in Luck.
If we say "Good luck" to someone, where do you think this luck will come from? Is it like believing in a luck god who might decide you are the good samaritan who gets good fortune? Do you view it mathematically by using probability as a factor? Do you consider it contradicting to the atheist belief system in regards to superstition as an outlet for the paranormal?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by David Anam on -
That does make me wonder where that phrase comes from, but I personally like it when people wish me good luck, because then I can blame the outcome on luck.
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Permalink Reply by Morsa on -
I don't have an 'atheist belief system', I don't even believe in good luck.
I do frequently wish others good luck or ask for others to wish me luck. It is one of the most innocuous ways to casually form a bond and to let another person know that you are thinking of them. I don't think skeptics believe in luck as superstition, but social animals (like me) love a nice dose of moral support and encouragement.
Let me know if you find a better way to phrase it, until then... Good Luck :)
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Permalink Reply by Atheist Andrea on -
It is a nice way to interact with another human. Afterall, how many others do we meet that think like us here on this site?
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Permalink Reply by Steph S. on -
I view luck as a factor of probability. So I would view it mathematically. So luck to me is :
The extent to which something is probable; the likelihood of something happening or being the case
The extent to which an event is likely to occur, measured by the ratio of the favorable cases to the whole number of cases possible
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Permalink Reply by Rudy Ruddell on -
An atheist is someone who has no believes in deities. I know of atheists who believe in reincarnation, astrology and conspiracy theories. A more general term for someone who does not believe in any supernatural phenomenon is naturalist, i.e. someone who only accepts natural explanations.
That being said, believing in luck is believing in supernatural and is not naturalistic. We naturalists must fight every day against natural instincts to perceive agency when there really isn't one. I try to fight all thoughts of fate and luck, which try to creep into my thoughts. The more of these silly thoughts we accept, the easier it is for others to creep in. There is no luck, there is only probability. Sometimes things happen to our advantage, but usually they don't unless we are constantly trying to set the odds on our side.
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Permalink Reply by Joe Swam on -
"Luck is probability taken personally" - Chip Denman, manager of the Statistics Lab at the University of Maryland
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Permalink Reply by Richard K. Emms on -
"Good Luck" to me means "I hope you beat the odds". Ergo, mathematical.
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Permalink Reply by booklover on -
Would maybe wishing them good fortune be better? Like you hope they are fortunate? Not sure if that's superstitious. I don't really believe in good luck either, it's just something I say. I also say goddammit, but I don't believe there is a god.
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Permalink Reply by Rudy Ruddell on
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For atheists who were never deeply indoctrinated, perhaps, saying religious words is not a problem. For me, having been indoctrinated twice by fundy religions as a child, it is a daily fight for me to keep religious words out of my mind because they can lead to thoughts of fear of Hell, even after 35 years of atheism. It is a discipline that I exercise to sharpen my critical thinking skills.
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Permalink Reply by booklover on
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wow I really never thought of that having never been brainwashed into believing anything to begin with. Thanks for telling your story of why you try not to say religious words! :) They mean absolutely nothing to me and never have, so you're right, that's probably why I just say them. It's cool to learn new things on here!~ Melinda
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Permalink Reply by Atheist Andrea on
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Sorry to hear that, Rudy. You seem to have been traumatized as a kid but you fought through it, luckily.
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Permalink Reply by Rudy Ruddell on
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Thanks. The fight seems never ending, but it grows easier, even after 35 years.
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