The Science of Luck

"Good luck!" The expression is common, in different forms, in every language in the world. Luck is a universal concept, accepted by every culture but fully understood by none. Science would have us believe luck is mere chance-unexpected changes of fortune dictated entirely at random. But what if this weren't strictly true? What if we could increase the likelihood of good luck through planning and intuition?



Entrepreneur Moh Hon Meng argues we can. Basing his observations on a keen understanding of economics, philosophy, and psychology, Hon Meng dissects what we think of as good luck and questions its apparent randomness.



In doing so, Hon Meng looks to both modern science and the vast tradition of luck beliefs humanity has clung to over the millennia. Are such beliefs primitive attempts to explain probability and reversals of fortune? And if so, does the persistence of these beliefs over time speak to some measure of efficiency? Can we see luck not as random but as a valid social science with practical applications?



Hon Meng believes we can-and that by planning for it, we can better situate ourselves to take advantage of it when luck comes calling.