Theory Design Lab/Karma Lab/Karma and predestination

Course prerequisites: Karma theory, Predestination

Karma and predestination
For this learning resource it is assumed that karma and predestination do exist and that they represent interrelated concepts.

If an unspecific theory of karma and an unspecific theory of predestination appeared to apply that would mean that life could be subject to unknown external influences that were not properly understood. Clearly that could be seen as a very unsatisfactory situation.

How could predestination and karma be imagined to influence each other?
How could karma influence predestination? An intentional reputation system for instance could demand a certain amount and type of reputation in order to be able to apply for a job. To be a candidate for the presidency, for instance, you might require a sufficient amount of reputation and the right type of reputation.

Moral obligations concerning predestination and karma
Health mentoring, for instance, could be seen as a measure that reduces the effects of problems that may be difficult to control for some individuals. (A belief in better karma would, for instance, be justified by the fact that the prevention of problems for others in this case is likely to improve one's own health consciousness, which would constitute an immediate beneficial effect for the health mentor.)

Predestination as an influence on karma
If the predestination of a group or person did exist as an unknown influence on the karma of a group or person then that influence might modify expectations (and cognitive biases) concerning karma that may otherwise be taken for granted by the naive observer. Thus a person might be forced to recognize the just-world fallacy as a fallacy if a "predestined influence" can be established.

For instance the population of a planet that does not sufficiently address climate change may have to live with the long-term effects of climate change. That could be seen as a scientific view of "group karma" which cannot easily be rejected and whose effects may clearly affect future generations.

An example of "reputation systems" that describe the interaction with the physical world are carbon offset providers.