20240531 - The law of large numbers

The law of large numbers is a fundamental concept in statistics. It states that as the number of trials increases, the outcomes naturally converge to their true probabilities. For example, consider rolling a die, which is a fair six-sided die. The probability of any number appearing is 1/6. This doesn't mean each number will appear exactly once every six rolls. A number might come up several times in a row. However, if there's nothing wrong with the die and you roll it many times, the frequency of each number appearing will gradually approach 1/6. Each roll is an individual event, but overall, they adhere to the law of large numbers.

 

I see a strong similarity between this statistical law and the role of religion in people's lives. Individuals live through many events that seem random and sometimes meaningless. Here, the law of large numbers comes into play metaphorically. Religion provides a framework that helps people feel part of a larger scheme, giving meaning and interpretation to what happens in their lives. Even if bad things occur repeatedly, embracing this concept or religious belief reassures us that eventually, things will find their natural order.