fate
/fāt/
Fate is the universal principle or predetermined power believed to control all events, making them inevitable. It also refers to the final outcome or condition that ultimately befalls a person or thing, which is often beyond their control.
Key Concepts
- Predetermined Path: The belief that human lives and history are decided in advance by a higher or supernatural power.
- Ultimate Outcome: The unavoidable end, whether positive or adverse (e.g., fortune, defeat, or death).
- Philosophical Contrast: Often debated against the concepts of free will and chance, raising the question of whether individuals hold control over their own lives.