How to Detect Inevitable Possibilities & Why It's Important
Updated: Feb 16
An "Inevitable Possibility" refers not to the possibility itself, ironically, but to the fact that the chance of it happening, always being there. For example, death is inevitable, and yet, it can always happen at any point of time when someone's alive. Therefore, death is an inevitable possibility, because one can always die due to whatever reason, especially if that reason will make that death premature, and not out of natural causes.
It doesn't mean that you will certainly die due to a specific reason, just because its possibility exists. You might die because of it, when the chance of it occurring, is an inevitable one. In other words: If you can always die because of it, then it is an inevitable possibility. It may sound like an oxymoron, because "possibility" refers to likelihood, and not to certainty. However, the existence of some likelihoods, can be certain, even if their chance of occurring, is low.
On the other hand, there are some possibilities that are not inevitable, and that will either be fulfilled or not. When such possibilities are not fulfilled, they become missed opportunities. Whether you turn that opportunity into a reality is another matter. You may prove yourself in the dating world, for example, or lose your worth in the eyes of some by lacking experience and/or being socially incompetent. It can be changed though, so you'll decrease the chances of dying alone.
So, while death is an inevitable possibility, whether you will die single or within companionship, is a matter of evitable possibility. Singlehood and romance are therefore both evitable possibilities as they depend on your actions. That is while an inevitable possibility exists regardless of your choices. In general, like in death, or when you've made a point of no return. If you commit murder, for example, it is a point of no return where you're always likely, to a degree, to be caught. It's one of the reasons you shouldn't murder.
I will give another example: When speaking to strangers, it may be inevitable, that one of them is a psychopath, who is good at concealing their true personality. It does not mean that every stranger is a psychopath. But the more strangers you'll be talking to, the higher the chance will be, that at least one of them is a psychopath. If you're a public figure, like me (someone whose work requires public communication/life), then the possibility of interacting with a psycho, is inevitable, EVEN if you will never reach one.
And you can never truly know unless they show their true colors, or unless you know otherwise (like if they confess, or if a credible source tells you who they really are).
Inevitable possibilities are ironic because they might never happen. You may always be prone to death by, let's say, a heart attack, but it does NOT mean that you will indeed die because of it. Perhaps you will die of many other reasons, but it does not contradict the fact that, dying of a heart attack, is inevitable by chance. It could always happen while alive.
It is important to detect inevitable possibilities because doing so can decrease being surprised. The less surprised one is, the less likely one is to be excited by sudden events, when they happen.
Did you know? When watching a video, there is, technically, always a chance that you will be met with a jumpscare. A "Jumpscare" is usually a sudden face that appears on your screen, and is usually followed by a scream, that can enhance even more the purpose of this concept: Scare you through the element of surprise.
Therefore, it is important to be prepared for it, even if it might never happen, because if you will prepare for it mentally, you can feel much safer, when you'd indeed be faced with one. Of course, that's only true if you watch videos and films, especially of the horror genre.
There should be little reason to be surprised and/or afraid of inevitable possibilities, because the future is uncertain. Since it is uncertain, one should not delude themselves with the thought that it isn't. Some of you may believe in concepts such as fate, but it doesn't mean that you actually know your fates, just because you believe in this concept, existing in the real world. Even if fate exists, it is still unknown. It is like seeing a box, and knowing what it contains, without opening it first.
Do you see what I mean? Whether fate exists or not, you can't foresee it. You can only expect it. and reality is often disappointing. Even a mastermind's master plan can always be flawed by the fact that there is an uncertain opportunity threatening its successful execution.
In order to detect inevitable possibilities, one must ask themselves the following: What chance is always there? If you've graduated from school, for example, the chance of having a school-day tomorrow, is illogical. If you're not a student anymore, and not a teacher, then why would you have to return to school tomorrow?
Another example: If you don't exit your house every day, like me, then the chance of getting into a car accident, is not an inevitable possibility. If I intend to spend the whole day in my house, then how can a car run me over, if there is no road in my house, and if I, for instance, live in an upper floor of a building? If you, let's say, work from home, and live on the 4th floor, then there is no reason to believe that a car has an inevitable chance of hitting you, in each day of the year.
Since we are not omniscient beings, or beings who are capable of knowing everything, then we might make mistakes, even when it comes to making assessments on the inevitable. However, even if we would find ourselves, being proven wrong with either facts, logic or both, then why should it prevent us, from trying to be more prepared for such possibilities? After all, we are not omniscient, so of course we could make mistakes... One could even say, that committing a mistake, is an inevitable possibility of its own.
How can one expects to be right so easily when there is an inevitable chance to be proven wrong in many cases? It is not even a matter of opinion, it is a matter of the fact that reality isn't always clear or even known. Therefore, it is important to keep an open mind.
Making mistakes should not be something for one to avoid of entirely, as that is extremely difficult if not possible. At times you'll only know you're making a mistake, when you're making it, or when you reflect on it. As such, mistakes are built on experience, and as long as you're alive, you'll experience. Therefore experience is an inevitable possibility as long as you're alive, and the same applies to making mistakes at one point or another.
Why do you think I already have a plan of succession in mind? It is a very disturbing thought, yes, but as a philosopher, I must look directly at the truth: That some chances are inevitable. That I might die even as a young man. Although disturbing, accepting them brings peace to my mind... Especially, after making preparations. Wouldn't you agree?
I used to believe, that nothing is ensured. However, after writing this article, I have realized that I was wrong, and that, at least, only some chances are ones, even if they are few in variety. Please, do not expect me to be correct in everything I say. An open mind is certainly a healthy one. Of course, I have no intention of misleading anyone when philosophizing; That goes against my ethics.
