Against Relying on Luck to Avoid Injury & Death
I realize that I rely on luck in ways that are not altogether rational. Up to now I’ve been able to say — to myself, for one, a listener with whom it is often hard to argue — “Nothing serious ever happens to my health.” Sure, so far. Does that truly mean I can take my own health for granted?
So am I in fact protected from things like heart attacks, strokes, cancers of all kinds, diabetes — simply because I haven’t been afflicted with these before? Am I also protected against things like falls and the need for replacement hips and knees? Okay, what about death itself, a rather important outcome — can my previous record, my “past performance,” protect me from that which cancels the ability to fight diseases, drink wine, eat in restaurants and breathe — not to mention the ability to move from place to place (“travel”) while being aware of what’s interesting about where you are? [more…]