Final answer:
Non-normative events are unexpected events that don't follow predictable patterns, such as winning the lottery, and are differentiated from miracles or supernatural occurrences, which lack natural explanations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Events that are not anticipated and not always shared with others because they are unexpected and not always welcome are referred to as non-normative events. These events do not follow a predictable pattern and can be positive or negative in nature. For example, winning the lottery would be considered a non-normative event due to its low probability and unforeseeable nature. On the other hand, surviving an auto accident is certainly unexpected for the individual involved, yet these occurrences happen often enough that they can be explained using the laws of nature and are not considered miracles or violations of natural laws.
It's crucial to differentiate non-normative events from phenomena considered miracles or supernatural occurrences. The latter are deemed to occur without natural explanation and are often grounded in faith rather than evidence. However, the idea that events, including personal choices and actions, may not be pre-determined or fixed in a rigid cause-and-effect sequence has been argued by philosophers such as William James through the concept of indeterminism.