Are We Determined To Change Fate?
​

Karl Marx is the founder of the modern Conflict Theory that states 'tensions and conflicts arise when resources, status, and power are unevenly distributed between groups in society and these conflicts become the engine for social change'.  Dr. Peter T. Coleman refines that theory through the sharing of the problems that resist social change despite the best efforts of many.  At the 2015 Sustaining Peace conference hosted by the Advanced Consortium on Conflict, Cooperation and Complexity (AC4) (http://ac4.ei.columbia.edu) Dr. Coleman gave the following short talk about intractable conflict and sustainable peace through the lens of complexity.


Complexity Theory is a loose set of Concepts, Heuristics and Analytics arising from Chaos Theory and its' related Mathematics
​


Determinism is the philosophical theory that all events, including moral choices, are completely determined by previous existing causes commonly known as Fate

​


Willful Decisions and Determinism 
​


Heuristics and Determinism
​


​Communication and Determinism
​

​“It's not hard to decide what you want your life to be about. What's hard, she said, is figuring out what you're willing to give up in order to do the things you really care about.” 
― Shauna Niequist, Bittersweet: Thoughts on Change, Grace, and Learning the Hard Way
​“Sometimes, if you want to change a man's mind, you have to change the mind of the man next to him first.” 
― Megan Whalen Turner, The King of Attolia
“Do nothing, and nothing happens. Life is about decisions. You either make them or they're made for you, but you can't avoid them.” 
― Mhairi McFarlane, You Had Me At Hello
​“Whatever you decide, don't let it be because you don't think you have a choice.” 
― Hannah Harrington, Saving June
​“Truly successful decision-making relies on a balance between deliberate and instinctive thinking.” 
― Malcolm Gladwell
​“Mom always liked to say that we hardly ever know the decisions we make that change our lives, mostly because they are little ones. You took this bus instead of that one and ended up meeting your soul mate, that kind of thing. But there was no doubt in my mind that this was one of those life-changing moments.” 
― Rachel Hawkins, Demonglass

Morals (character) and Ethics (customs) and Determinism


Creativity challenges Determinism 
​

​“Creative geniuses redefine the desired solution. They don't just push the envelope; they create a whole new courier system.” 
― Puneet Bhatnagar, Power-Goals
" When people want to feel in control they discourage creativity in others" ~ John Cleese
​“Change the questions you ask, the way you view the issue will be transformed and innovation will start!” 
― Isaac You, Question Intelligence: The Questions to Maximize Your Potential and Accelerate Your Innovation
​“Creative thinking is the spice of great innovations.” 
― Roni Rosenthal


Sir Ken tells us 'Finding Your Passion Changes Everything'.
Would finding your passion be fate?
​


The following Stories are part of a Human Condition Series
​about People Creating Change. Could their actions be fate?

    What do you think about Fate? Is it fixed or do we have the power to change it?



If I make it out alive, I will make a change ....... Nahko

The World Conservation Union report released Nov 12, 2007 found that six of the world's eight bear species (75%) are facing extinction.