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A further use of the word chance is made when we refer to 
future events, over the circumstances of which we have no 
control. When we say, “ Leave it to chance,” what do we 
mean? Simply this ; that although by our previous knowledge 
of certain laws we might construct a proper deduction upon 
them, in accordance with which we might predict the future 
event, — in other words/expect the same result to follow after a 
repetition of the same circumstances ; yet we know not but that 
certain other events or causes might intervene to subvert or 
alter the strict fulfilment of those known laws. Therefore we 
cannot be sure of the ultimate result, and we express our inca- 
pacity by saying we must leave the issue to chance . 
The difference, therefore, between the case of a plant ripening 
its fruit and a die falling from the box is this : in the former 
case, without knowing what the laws are which govern the 
plant, we see the same result constantly recurring under the 
same circumstances ; and this reduces itself to inductive law, 
while we presume tacitly that the same secondary causes are 
brought into play every time we see the same result occurring. 
But when we throw a die, we can form no inductive law in 
obedience to which the die will always appear with the ace 
uppermost. Experience tells us that however nearly in the 
same way we may shake the box and throw it out, we cannot 
calculate upon any particular face being uppermost ; we may 
arrive at some degree of probability, but no certainty. So that 
we apply the word chance to those results for which we can 
trace no inductive law. And this brings us to consider its 
application in nature as concerning the conditions of existence 
for any individual organism. 
Observation clearly shows that a plant or an animal is not 
always, if ever, placed under conditions best suited to it. Its 
position in the world is due to chance; or at most it can be 
only said to live where its existence is possible, not where con- 
ditions are most favourable. Now this is the average condition 
of things, and we may remember that although circumstances 
affecting the individual may seem to occur capriciously, yet 
when a large number are examined, law is perceptible as govern- 
ing the averages. Thus, a large array of facts connected with 
social life seem, when isolated, to be due to chance, and subject 
to no law; yet when they are classified and averages obtained, 
it is found that these averages are not only subject to law, but 
such laws as can be practically acted upon, though individual 
cases may seem to belie the deduction. It is on this principle 
that the tables of life assurances are constructed, which are 
expressive of the laws which govern the rates of mortality. 
In nature, then, we place under the head of chance all results 
