If you could see into your future and you saw when you could die, would you do everything to avoid it or just let it happen?

Question

If you could see into your future and you saw when you could die, would you do everything to avoid it or just let it happen?

7 Answers

Answer Question

Answer 1

I would like to say yes, that I would try to change my fate. However, what if your death is caused by just that? By seeing the future, you are forced to act differently than you normally would; which could be the very reason that leads to your death that you foresaw in the first place. Hmm, food for thought.

Answer 2

I think it would be natural to try and avoid the fate you foresaw. What effect those actions would have, no-one will know. For example, what if you saw that you were going to die of heart disease, and so took steps to live a healthier lifestyle and exercise more in order to reduce the risks of it happening.

But on a morning jog that is part of your fitness routine, you get hit by a car and pass away.... Sometimes not knowing is the best option.

Answer 3

Naturally, you would try to change it... Some people (like my grandma) would let it be...

Answer 4

I'm a geezer. I'm so old that my doctor is a geriatrician. Death waits around the corner and I can't really expect to last another 15 years. Would I head it off? Nah. I've done my time and I'll go out cheerfully.

On the other hand, about 20 years ago I was caught in a rip at a deserted beach. I was dragged into a vortex where I kept getting forced under the breaking surf. I'd reached the point where I thought, "If I stop struggling, it'll soon be over," then, in the distance, saw a lone surfboard. Boy, did I yell, and here I am.

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But here's a little story from Somerset Maugham to go with Kass's answer:

A servant went into the market place in Samarra where
he saw Death. Death pointed at him and, in
fear, he ran back to his master and told him what had happened. "Lend me a
horse," he begged. "I'll ride into Baghdad and hide in the crowd.
He'll never find me there." So off he galloped.

The master, fearless soul, went to the marketplace and sought out Death. He
said, "Why did you frighten my servant?"

Death replied, "I hadn't intended to frighten him. I was simply surprised
to see him I pointed at him and was about to say, 'You're supposed to be in
Baghdad.'"

Answer 5

That would depend on what quality of life you thought was awaiting you, and how painful your foreseen demise would be. Higher forms of animals, like humans, are motivated by two prime directives: Survival and pain avoidance, although all motivations boil down to survival. So normally a person would attempt to avoid a painful death at almost all costs. But if I was chronically and irreparably infirmed and my continued existence was bleak and/or I felt continuing my life would be a burden on my loved ones, I might opt for "just letting it happen" -- depending on how much pain would be involved.

Answer 6

To be honest, I think almost all people would try to change their fate, due to our sense of self preservation. We naturally fear death and will do almost anything to avoid it. However, seeing the future means seeing what will happen, so you would know that it will happen. I would know that it would happen no matter what, however still try to avoid it.

Answer 7

It depends on how and when I die. Suppose I see myself of dying from old age? Then do I go out and eat whatever and how much I want? Do I take up risky hobbies such as sky diving and rock or mountain climbing?