Overview
Luck refers to outcomes that appear to arise from chance rather than deliberate human control. In everyday speech it covers both favorable events (good luck) and unfavorable ones (bad luck). The term is used across languages to describe unexpected results, fortune, or the absence thereof.
Concepts and types
People distinguish several senses of luck:
- Chance — random events as described by probability.
- Fortune — an overall pattern of favorable or unfavorable circumstances.
- Serendipity — fortunate discoveries made by accident.
- Misfortune — harmful outcomes attributed to unlucky circumstances.
History and cultural beliefs
Beliefs about luck appear in many cultures and shape rituals, symbols, and taboos (for example, carrying talismans or avoiding certain actions considered inauspicious). Philosophical and religious traditions have treated luck variously as fate, divine will, or an impersonal aspect of the world.
Psychology and perception
Psychologists study how people perceive randomness and attribute events to luck or skill. Cognitive biases — such as the illusion of control and hindsight bias — influence how individuals judge whether outcomes were lucky. Attitudes toward luck can affect risk-taking, motivation, and resilience.
Uses and importance
Luck is a common theme in games of chance, gambling, and decision-making under uncertainty. Economists and social scientists examine the role of chance in life outcomes, noting how random events can interact with talent, opportunity, and social systems to shape success or failure.
Distinctions and notable facts
Luck differs from probability in that probability is a formal measure while luck is a folk concept used to interpret outcomes. It also differs from skill: repeated favorable results due to skill are not usually counted as luck. Discussion of luck often involves ethical and philosophical questions about responsibility and moral luck.