Final answer:
Phineas Gage was considered lucky because he survived a catastrophic brain injury and adapted to life afterwards, which demonstrated resilience and the brain's ability to cope despite 19th-century medical limitations.
Step-by-step explanation:
John Fleischman might consider Phineas Gage lucky because despite experiencing a severe injury to the prefrontal cortex, Gage survived and adapted to his condition. The iron rod that pierced Gage's frontal lobe during a railroad construction accident in 1848 led to significant changes in his personality and behavior, indicative of damage to a region of the brain associated with impulse control. However, Gage's ability to eventually cope with these changes, even becoming a coach driver, suggests a remarkable level of resilience which can be seen as a form of luck, especially considering the medical understanding and treatments available during the 19th century.
Phineas Gage survived a traumatic brain injury when an iron rod impaled his prefrontal cortex, resulting in changes to his personality. John Fleischman believes Phineas Gage was lucky because despite the injury, Gage was able to adapt and live a relatively normal life as a coach driver. Although the accident caused him to become temperamental and capricious, the fact that he survived and could function independently after such a severe injury is considered remarkable.