Final answer:
Planned happenstance theory suggests that random events can significantly influence our careers and lives, contrasting with the idea of causal determinism, which states that every event is predictable. Serendipitous discoveries in science and life demonstrate that chance can play a positive role even within structured pursuits.
Step-by-step explanation:
Planned happenstance theory involves the concept that seemingly random or coincidental events can impact one's career path significantly, and the key is to be open to them and leverage them. This relates to the broader concept of how determinism and chance interact in the shaping of our lives. While causal determinism posits that every event has a cause and is predictable, planned happenstance suggests that being prepared for and taking advantage of unpredictable events can also guide us towards our goals. Opportunities and discoveries can often arise by serendipity, indicating that not everything is strictly determined and predictable.
There's a contrast between a strictly linear approach, where events happen in a cause-and-effect sequence, and an episodic or non-linear approach where chance plays a significant role. Research in both basic and applied sciences, while typically carefully planned, has historically benefited from serendipitous discoveries, indicating that chance can play a role in leading to new findings even in structured settings. Similarly, in life and in narratives, things that lack knowledge, such as inanimate objects, seem to act toward a goal not by mere chance but by being a part of a design.