J
JBlack
Guest
Events, Coincidences & Occurrences without Cause
In this world, lots of things happen that seemingly defy ordinary Odds of a Chance occurrence. Are these things strange? Are they surprising? Does the theory of probability say they shouldn't or couldn't occur?
If you observe one of these things, do you immediately form a theory about what "physical" things may have caused the event, or merely label it as "surprising" ---but entirely possible?
For example...
During World War II there were two men (the New York Times reported this) who, never having previously met, joined up at the same time at Washington DC. They received the same assignment, and were together throughout the war. They had the same rank, were of the same size, had similar mustaches, were 35 years old, and looked so much alike that they were regularly taken to be identical twins. One was named Baker and the other Cook.
and a second example...
A TV news program reported that on Friday, November 3, 1961, two women in the same hospital both had babies. Certainly that is not surprising, but wait! These two women were of the same age, they were both Irish, their husbands were of the same age ---and for both families this baby completed a set of ten, five boys and five girls.
(If the meaning of this post went sailing right over your head, try standing up while reading it.
)
In this world, lots of things happen that seemingly defy ordinary Odds of a Chance occurrence. Are these things strange? Are they surprising? Does the theory of probability say they shouldn't or couldn't occur?
If you observe one of these things, do you immediately form a theory about what "physical" things may have caused the event, or merely label it as "surprising" ---but entirely possible?
For example...
During World War II there were two men (the New York Times reported this) who, never having previously met, joined up at the same time at Washington DC. They received the same assignment, and were together throughout the war. They had the same rank, were of the same size, had similar mustaches, were 35 years old, and looked so much alike that they were regularly taken to be identical twins. One was named Baker and the other Cook.
and a second example...
A TV news program reported that on Friday, November 3, 1961, two women in the same hospital both had babies. Certainly that is not surprising, but wait! These two women were of the same age, they were both Irish, their husbands were of the same age ---and for both families this baby completed a set of ten, five boys and five girls.
(If the meaning of this post went sailing right over your head, try standing up while reading it.
)
