Philosophy Discussion Forums | A Humans-Only Philosophy Club

[BRIGID Wandera]

I usually set myself 10 goals at the start of each year. In a typical year I would fail about half of them. I don't think there is anything wrong with failing those goals for the most part. Usually it's because priorities changed, something was harder than I thought it would be, or there were things that happened that I didn't expect. Occasionally I just decided I couldn't be bothered with that one. I still set new goals again the next year though despite knowing I won't achieve them all because it helps guide my thinking around how I should prioritise my time during the year and decide what really matters to me.

Success is a choice but that doesn't mean we should necessarily internalise failure as us failing to make good choices. Sometimes deciding to fail is the best choice you can make.

[rudi dani]

Success is definitely influenced by hard work and dedication, but to say it's entirely a choice ignores the role of luck. What about someone born into poverty with limited opportunities? Or someone struck by a life-altering illness that derails their plans? It's easy to talk about "infinite choices" when you have a foundation of privilege or haven't faced a setback that throws everything off course. Sure, effort matters a lot, but dismissing the impact of luck feels a bit dismissive of the very real challenges people face. Maybe success is a choice, but sometimes the options available are limited by circumstances outside your control.

[Barongo Mosera]

In my thoughts success is a feeling and that this feeling(state of mind) should not be equated with money or fame. Instead, it should be measured based on satisfaction. In this view success is personal and emotional.

Success in this has nothing to do with how much money you make or how famous you are. Instead, it's about being happy and satisfied with your accomplishments and how you feel about your life. If you can honestly say that you are proud of your accomplishments, no matter how big, then you have succeeded.

This interpretation of success places the focus on personal fulfilment and self-assessment, acknowledging that everyone’s definition of success can vary. It encourages a more holistic and inner-oriented perspective on what it means to lead a successful life.

[Gerrard Mark]

Succes is sometimes not a choice. Let's say someone us born with down syndrome. And has no way of taking care of himself. How will that kind of person succeed. His succes will greatly be determined by those around him.

[Pimporn Chandee1]

Yes, definitely. If you choose success, you need to make preparations for it. When opportunity comes, you’ll be ready to pursue your success.

[Diana Akinyi Aginga 1]

I agree. Every day, people are faced with decisions that can influence their paths. Embracing success involves making choices that propel one forward, even if they require short-term sacrifices for long-term gains.

[Sonia Lurk]

These are unadulterated facts! In my opinion, if someone is going to embrace anything, they must unquestionably succeed in it. Our mindset is what propels us to success; we decide who we want to be by the choices we make.

[Elijah Reuben]

Well, I suppose everyone wants to be successful. I mean, who wants to be unsuccessful? Nobody! People who are not successful, does it mean that they don't work hard enough? I believe life isn't fair to everyone.

[Ray Thompson]

Someone told me this; “90% of people who gets good grades at school end up financially handicap. They invest their time and energy in school, and when the labor market doesn’t absolve them, they are left without a cause.” I strongly object to this. I know a lot of people who were academically smart, got good grades, and finished college with no jobs for them. But they took it upon themselves to find success in any place available. Do you agree with that person? Are intelligent people fooled by their academic success that they end up without enough training for the real world, being left for broke when they don’t get their dream jobs?

This is not true because many people make different choices regardless of their academic excellence. The aim is to be smart and know what true success is.

[Nyangor Otieno]

I think this perspective is compelling but oversimplified. It rightly emphasizes the importance of personal agency and the power of making deliberate choices towards achieving goals. I accept, mindset and effort are significant factors in success, and adopting a proactive, responsible approach can lead to substantial achievements.

[Nyangor Otieno]

I think this perspective is compelling but oversimplified. It rightly emphasizes the importance of personal agency and the power of making deliberate choices towards achieving goals. I accept, mindset and effort are significant factors in success, and adopting a proactive, responsible approach can lead to substantial achievements.

However, equating success purely with choice might not account for the full complexity of human experiences. Various external factors play crucial roles in shaping opportunities and outcomes. For instance, economic conditions, educational opportunities, discrimination, and random life events can all significantly impact one's ability to achieve goals.

[Nyangor Otieno]

I think this perspective is compelling but oversimplified. It rightly emphasizes the importance of personal agency and the power of making deliberate choices towards achieving goals. I accept, mindset and effort are significant factors in success, and adopting a proactive, responsible approach can lead to substantial achievements.

However, equating success purely with choice might not account for the full complexity of human experiences. Various external factors play crucial roles in shaping opportunities and outcomes. For instance, economic conditions, educational opportunities, discrimination, and random life events can all significantly impact one's ability to achieve goals.

These, as we know, are not always within an individual's control and can sometimes require more than just personal effort to overcome.

[Nyangor Otieno]

Moreover, success is subjective and culturally variable. What constitutes success for one person might not be the same for another. It's also multidimensional—someone might choose to prioritize family or personal well-being over career advancement, which might not conventionally be seen as 'success' but is equally valid.

[Nyangor Otieno]

And while personal choice is a powerful determinant of success, it's also important to acknowledge and address the structural and random factors affecting our lives.

[pokey Jake]

Success, in my opinion, is a decision because, despite the obstacles, if you decide to pursue success and put in the necessary work, you will undoubtedly succeed.