Do you think everything happens for a reason?

In the paragraphs below we’ll discuss the interplay of inertia and motion in life, drawing on Newton’s theory and everyday observations. This discussion is deeply rooted in the concept of cause and effect, which helps explain how events influence outcomes. It is highlighted how events are interconnected, influencing individual character, supported by ideas from Aristotle about external factors shaping identity. The principle of Karma in Indian philosophy is presented as a means of understanding behavior and its consequences. Buddha’s Four Noble Truths are referenced to explain suffering, its causes, and the ethical path to liberation. The passages underscore that choices and diligent efforts determine outcomes, emphasising the importance of self-awareness and accountability in shaping one’s life and future.

Guiding factors: cause and effect

Inertia and motion are two phenomena that guide most of the things in life. The former is a state of stagnation and inaction; the latter is the opposite, where a matter moves. A moving matter has velocity, which would either be uniform or incremental. Movement is the result of force applied to the matter. It is this force that converts the potential energy of the matter to kinetic energy, causing Movement. Here cause is force and effect is movement.

Scientific theory

Sir Issac Newton says that if an object is moving, it will continue to move, and if it is still, it will remain still until a force is applied. Yet, a person observes a different phenomenon in daily life. A teenager, while watching a football match, observed that a kick made the football move, but it would stop after travelling a distance, even if not touched by anyone. The teenage boy experimented with it by himself. He kicked a football in a field and observed that the ball came to a stop after a while. “Why,” he thought.

Right or wrong: cause and effect

“Is Newton’s theory wrong?” He asked his teacher. The question was churning the boy. His teacher took the boy to a field and told him to kick the football. As usual, the football stopped after a while. The teacher smiled and tenderly explained to the boy, saying that Newton’s theory was not wrong.  Newton emphesises force. Forces acting on a moving football one is gravitation and friction, while the other is the force countering the direction of the ball. These combined forces caused the football to stop after travelling some distance. The teacher further told his disciple, pointing his finger up to the sky, why every other object, planets and satellites are constantly moving in the universe. This is why the satellites sent from the Earth through a rocket revolve in their orbits without stopping.

Cause and effects are Chain of events

Scientific theories apart, it is also commonly seen in the daily life of an individual. A close look at a happening reveals that incidents are closely related. Connecting them forms a chain. The chain of events gives rise to an incident, and incidents affect a matter, object or individual according to the intensity of impact. A blacksmith beats and gives a desired shape to a piece of red-hot iron. The final product is the outcome of a series of events like putting the iron piece in a hearth, heating it till it is red-hot and soft, beating it and giving shape to it. An individual’s life is also a sum of cause and effects, incidents and their impacts that shape it. The surroundings and daily happenings shapes up an individual personality. It explains a lot of things. (Scienceinsights)

Aristotle

Ancient thinkers gave serious thought to the whole process. Aristotle believed that human behaviour is affected by external factors and forces. He said that the family, friends and society are the basic determining factors of an individual’s identity, which is a mix of good, bad or neutral characters. The core of anindividual’s personality is the amount and balance of influencing factors.

Cause and effect: cooling of Water in a goglet

Water contained in an earthen goglet cools. It is simply because some water that comes to the surface of the pot by capillary action evaporates, taking heat from the water itself contained in the pot and cooling it. The cause is taking heat from water for evaporation and the effect is cooling of water. On the same token, the surroundings affect human psyche and behaviour.

Indian thought

In India, the topic given much consideration. To give continuity, they gave concept of birth and rebirth. It tried to fill the gap between life and death and also the behaviour and conduct of an individual. Karma used as an effective tool to shape an individual’s identity. This could satisfactorily justify the individual’s present behaviour and character. The theory of Karma also acted as a strong inhibitory factor against ill-doing and controlling the unabated arbitrariness of an individual. Whereas the concept gave a continuity across all life forms, it also tried to explain why people are different and behave differently in varied conditions and environments. It explains well that every happening has a reason behind it.

Buddha’s Arya Satya: Cause and effect

Buddha propounded the principle of Ārya Satya or the Four Noble Truths. It says that:

• There are sufferings. Even  the pleasure and wealth gives suffering because of the fear of losing them, the individual is under pressure and pain.

• There is a cause of suffering. Nothing comes out of Nothing. Existence of a happening depends upon the cause and condition.

• Cessation of suffering. Everything has a cause, therefore, removing the cause, eradicate the suffering.
• Ethical and spiritual path. By observing right deed, right speech, right action and living an individual can get liberation from the sufferings.

The crux is, thus, the cause and its effect. Sufferings, sorrow, happiness or exuberance are related expressions of emotions. An individual feels elated and exalted by an achievement, but losing it causes displeasure and sorrow. It is the outcome of one’s deeds, not predestination

Right path: Right cause and effects

A person who wishes to go to a particular place will have to take the right path and the right means. A sportsperson vying for a medal has to work hard in the right direction. It is equally true in the daily life of an individual who have to adopt the right way to achieve their goals. Almanack or the astrologer’s prophecy that predicts the future of an individual doesn’t help. It is a misnomer. The vital thing is to identify one’s strengths and weaknesses and do the rightful deeds. It is the only way to achieve the goal. An almanack would not help a student showing excellent performance in the exams; instead, it is hard work and diligence that shape the result. It is why Lord Krishna says (Gita chapter 2, verse 47) to focus on the right duty, not on the result:

 

“karmaṇy-evādhikāras te mā phaleṣhu kadāchana
mā karma-phala-hetur bhūr mā te saṅgo ’stvakarmaṇi

Right cause and right effect: chosen path and deed

Deeds and path chosen by an individual determine the ultimate results. They have reasons. An individual has to choose with care. Diligent work for desired is necessary. A fruiting tree takes time to fruit, but the grower of the tree, nonetheless, doesn’t stop nursing and taking care of it. Likewise, adherence to the goal with continued efforts is important. Hard work in the right direction is the reason which translates into the desired result is ultimate happening. What you sow, so you reap.

A youth and his family

A story would illustrate the point. It is the story of a youth who belonged to a middle-class family and was good at his studies. He passed his board examination with fairly good marks. Lured by the glitter of easy money, he was distracted from the right path of study and securing his future. Soon, the glitter turned out to be an artificial reflection of tin foil. Time swiftly passed; he later realised his mistake. The deviated path led him to his doom. The youth was married, and it became difficult to pull on his family. He, his wife and child leaned heavily on his parents, who were retired and sustaining on their savings. Now the youth used to quarrel with them and put the onus of his pathetic condition on them. A minor mistake worsened his life, which affected the entire family, including his parents.

Foresightedness

Foreseeing the consequences of a reason saves many unpalatable things. Nonetheless, it is difficult to evaluate everything carefully and sometimes it is not possible. Every action has reaction and cause has effect. Mistakes are normal, but acceptance of self-weakness or faults is taboo for most of the people. This is yet another reason for not improving the condition. Lack of self-evaluation and passing the buck are the major causes for wrong output. Cursing fate and holding others responsible gives no respite. In heart of hearts people know the reason. Accepting and understanding the faults and mending ways is the best solution. A disturbed situation affects the family, which a responsible person doesn’t like, especially when the family members are financially and emotionally dependent.

Some more interesting reads:

• Understanding Indian History: Bias and Truth
• Embracing Change: A Path to Personal Growth
• Transforming Pain into Strength: Life’s Hardships
• Survival Stories: Rising After Losing Everything
• Embracing Solitude: The Art of Self-Discovery

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