Chance vs. Choice — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 22, 2024
Chance involves randomness and unpredictability in outcomes, while choice refers to decisions made by individuals based on preferences and reasoning.
Difference Between Chance and Choice
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Chance is characterized by randomness and the lack of predictability in events, such as in a dice roll or lottery. On the other hand, choice involves deliberate decision-making processes where individuals select among options based on preferences, beliefs, or reasoning. This distinction highlights how chance is external and uncontrollable, whereas choice is inherently a product of personal agency and control.
In situations where outcomes are influenced by chance, individuals have no influence over the result, as seen in gambling or natural occurrences. Conversely, choice empowers individuals to influence outcomes directly through their decisions, such as choosing a career path or a meal at a restaurant.
Chance is often associated with probability and statistical odds, which are used to measure the likelihood of various outcomes without human intervention. In contrast, choice is linked with responsibility and consequences, as the decisions made can lead to specific results based on the options selected.
In educational contexts, teaching about chance involves explaining mathematical concepts of probability and randomness. Whereas teaching about choice might focus on critical thinking, ethics, and decision-making skills, highlighting the importance of making informed decisions.
In daily life, the concept of chance can appear in expressions like "take a chance" or "by chance," indicating something unexpected or unplanned. Choice appears in everyday decision-making, whether trivial, like choosing what to wear, or significant, like choosing where to live.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Randomness and lack of predictability in events
Decision-making process based on preferences
Influence
External, uncontrollable
Personal, controllable
Associated With
Probability, odds
Responsibility, consequences
Educational Focus
Probability, statistics
Ethics, critical thinking, decision-making
Example Usage
Occurrences in games of luck, natural events
Daily decisions, ethical dilemmas
Compare with Definitions
Chance
In terms of possibilities.
There's a good chance of rain tomorrow.
Choice
The power of choosing.
Voters exercise their choice during elections.
Chance
Unplanned or unforeseen events.
They met by chance at the coffee shop.
Choice
Reflecting personal preference.
His choice to become a vegetarian was made for health reasons.
Chance
Reliance on luck or probability.
He left his discovery up to chance, not planning the experiment's steps.
Choice
The act of selecting from two or more possibilities.
Her choice of college was influenced by its engineering program.
Chance
The occurrence of events without predictable order.
Winning the lottery is a matter of chance.
Choice
Options available in a decision.
The menu offers a wide choice of desserts.
Chance
Used in games of luck.
Chance determines the winner in most card games.
Choice
Decision-making in daily life.
Every morning, she faces a choice of what to wear.
Chance
The unknown and unpredictable element in happenings that seems to have no assignable cause.
Choice
A choice is the range of different things from which you can choose. The arrival at a choice may incorporate motivators and models.
Chance
A force assumed to cause events that cannot be foreseen or controlled; luck
Chance will determine the outcome.
Choice
An act of choosing between two or more possibilities
The choice between good and evil
Chance
Often chances The likelihood of something happening; possibility or probability
Chances are good that you will win. Is there any chance of rain?.
Choice
(especially of food) of very good quality
He picked some choice early plums
Chance
An accidental or unpredictable event
"He sprang to his feet and turned to run. At the same moment by a lucky chance the moon broke through the clouds" (Arthur Conan Doyle).
Choice
(of words or language) rude and abusive
He had a few choice words at his command
Chance
A favorable set of circumstances; an opportunity
A chance to escape.
Choice
The act of choosing; selection
It is time to make a choice between the candidates.
Chance
A risk or hazard; a gamble
Took a chance that the ice would hold me.
Choice
The power, right, or liberty to choose; option
The teacher gave me the choice between taking an exam and writing a paper.
Chance
(Games) A raffle or lottery ticket.
Choice
An alternative
With no money, he had no choice but to walk home.
Chance
(Baseball) An opportunity to make a putout or an assist that counts as an error if unsuccessful.
Choice
One that is chosen
That vase on sale looks like an excellent choice.
Chance
Caused by or ascribable to chance; unexpected, random, or casual
A chance encounter.
A chance result.
Choice
A number or variety from which to choose
A wide choice of styles and colors.
Chance
To take the risk or hazard of
We thought we could jump over the puddle, but we were not willing to chance it.
Choice
The right to terminate a pregnancy by induced abortion.
Chance
To have the fortune (to be or do something); happen
"My eye chanced to fall on the wizened houseplant on the windowsill" (Elisabeth Brink).
Choice
Of very fine quality
Choice peaches.
Chance
Used with the impersonal subject it and a following clause or infinitive to indicate the occurrence of a usually unexpected or chance event
"Now it chanced that this car-line was owned by gentlemen who were trying to make money" (Upton Sinclair).
Choice
Selected with care; well-chosen
Choice phrases.
Chance
(countable) An opportunity or possibility.
We had the chance to meet the president last week.
Choice
Expressive of intense disapproval
Had some choice words for the movers who dropped her antique spinet.
Chance
(uncountable) Random occurrence; luck.
Why leave it to chance when a few simple steps will secure the desired outcome?
Choice
Of or relating to the USDA grade of beef with more marbling than select cuts and less marbling than prime cuts.
Chance
(countable) The probability of something happening.
There is a 30 percent chance of rain tomorrow.
Choice
An option; a decision; an opportunity to choose or select something.
Do I have a choice of what color to paint it?
Chance
(in plural as chances) probability; possibility.
Choice
(uncountable) The power to choose.
She didn't leave us much choice.
Chance
What befalls or happens to a person; their lot or fate.
Choice
One selection or preference; that which is chosen or decided; the outcome of a decision.
The ice cream sundae is a popular choice for dessert.
Chance
Happening by chance, casual.
Choice
Anything that can be chosen.
You have three choices: vanilla, strawberry or chocolate
Chance
(obsolete) Perchance; perhaps.
Choice
The best or most preferable part.
Chance
To happen by chance, to occur.
It chanced that I found a solution the very next day.
Choice
(obsolete) Care and judgement in selecting; discrimination, selectiveness.
Chance
To befall; to happen to.
Choice
(obsolete) A sufficient number to choose among.
Chance
To try or risk.
Shall we carry the umbrella, or chance a rainstorm?
Choice
(set theory) axiom of choice.
Chance
To discover something by chance.
He chanced upon a kindly stranger who showed him the way.
Choice
Especially good or preferred.
It's a choice location, but you will pay more to live there.
Chance
(Belize) To rob, cheat or swindle someone.
The car broke down a week after I bought it. I was chanced by that fast-talking salesman.
Choice
(obsolete) Careful in choosing; discriminating.
Chance
A supposed material or psychical agent or mode of activity other than a force, law, or purpose; fortune; fate; - in this sense often personified.
It is strictly and philosophically true in nature and reason that there is no such thing as chance or accident; it being evident that these words do not signify anything really existing, anything that is truly an agent or the cause of any event; but they signify merely men's ignorance of the real and immediate cause.
Any society into which chance might throw him.
That powerWhich erring men call Chance.
Choice
Cool; excellent.
"I'm going to the movies." —"Choice!"
Chance
The operation or activity of such agent.
By chance a priest came down that way.
Choice
Act of choosing; the voluntary act of selecting or separating from two or more things that which is preferred; the determination of the mind in preferring one thing to another; election.
Chance
The supposed effect of such an agent; something that befalls, as the result of unknown or unconsidered forces; the issue of uncertain conditions; an event not calculated upon; an unexpected occurrence; a happening; accident; fortuity; casualty.
In the field of observation, chance favors only the mind that is prepared.
It was a chance that happened to us.
The Knave of Diamonds tries his wily arts,And wins (O shameful chance!) the Queen of Hearts.
I spake of most disastrous chance.
Choice
The power or opportunity of choosing; option.
Choice there is not, unless the thing which we take be so in our power that we might have refused it.
Chance
A possibility; a likelihood; an opportunity; - with reference to a doubtful result; as, a chance to escape; a chance for life; the chances are all against him.
So weary with disasters, tugged with fortune.That I would get my life on any chance,To mend it, or be rid on 't
Choice
Care in selecting; judgment or skill in distinguishing what is to be preferred, and in giving a preference; discrimination.
I imagine they [the apothegms of Cæsar] were collected with judgment and choice.
Chance
Probability.
Choice
A sufficient number to choose among.
Chance
To happen, come, or arrive, without design or expectation.
If a bird's nest chance to be before thee.
I chanced on this letter.
How chance, thou art returned so soon?
Choice
The thing or person chosen; that which is approved and selected in preference to others; selection.
The common wealth is sick of their own choice.
Chance
To take the chances of; to venture upon; - usually with it as object.
Come what will, I will chance it.
Choice
The best part; that which is preferable.
The flower and choiceOf many provinces from bound to bound.
Chance
To befall; to happen to.
Choice
Worthly of being chosen or preferred; select; superior; precious; valuable.
My choicest hours of life are lost.
Chance
Happening by chance; casual.
Choice
Preserving or using with care, as valuable; frugal; - used with of; as, to be choice of time, or of money.
Chance
By chance; perchance.
Choice
Selected with care, and due attention to preference; deliberately chosen.
Choice word measured phrase.
Chance
A possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances;
The holiday gave us the opportunity to visit Washington
Now is your chance
Choice
The person or thing chosen or selected;
He was my pick for mayor
Chance
An unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another;
Bad luck caused his downfall
We ran into each other by pure chance
Choice
The act of choosing or selecting;
Your choice of colors was unfortunate
You can take your pick
Chance
A risk involving danger;
You take a chance when you let her drive
Choice
One of a number of things from which only one can be chosen;
What option did I have?
There no other alternative
My only choice is to refuse
Chance
A measure of how likely it is that some event will occur;
What is the probability of rain?
We have a good chance of winning
Choice
Of superior grade;
Choice wines
Prime beef
Prize carnations
Quality paper
Select peaches
Chance
Be the case by chance;
I chanced to meet my old friend in the street
Choice
Appealing to refined taste;
Choice wine
Chance
Take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome;
When you buy these stocks you are gambling
Chance
Come upon, as if by accident; meet with;
We find this idea in Plato
I happened upon the most wonderful bakery not very far from here
She chanced upon an interesting book in the bookstore the other day
Chance
Occurring or appearing or singled out by chance;
Their accidental meeting led to a renewal of their friendship
Seek help from casual passers-by
A casual meeting
A chance occurrence
Common Curiosities
Why is understanding choice important in ethics?
Understanding choice is important in ethics because it involves considering the consequences and moral implications of one's decisions.
What role does choice play in personal responsibility?
Choice plays a crucial role in personal responsibility, as decisions directly reflect individual preferences and ethical considerations.
Can chance and choice coexist in a situation?
Yes, in many situations, such as in risk-taking or strategic games, both chance and choice play integral roles.
What is an example of chance in nature?
An example of chance in nature is the random mutation in genes during reproduction.
How does choice impact consumer behavior?
Choice impacts consumer behavior significantly as consumers' preferences and decisions dictate market trends and product success.
How does chance affect decision-making?
Chance affects decision-making by introducing elements of randomness and unpredictability that are beyond control.
How is chance modeled or studied scientifically?
Chance is modeled through probability theory and statistics, which help quantify the likelihood of various outcomes.
How does one calculate the probability of a chance event?
The probability of a chance event is calculated by dividing the number of favorable outcomes by the total number of possible outcomes.
How can educators teach about the impact of chance?
Educators can teach about the impact of chance by using examples from statistics and probability to show how randomness affects outcomes.
What are the ethical implications of choice in business?
The ethical implications of choice in business include the responsibility to make fair, just, and beneficial decisions for stakeholders.
What role does psychology play in understanding choice?
Psychology helps in understanding choice by studying how factors like emotion, cognition, and social influences affect decision-making.
What tools are used to study choice in economics?
In economics, choice is studied using decision theory and utility models to analyze how choices are made.
Is there always a choice in every situation?
While most situations offer choices, some circumstances may limit the available options, constraining the decision-making process.
Can choices be predicted?
Choices can sometimes be predicted based on known preferences and past behavior, but they can still vary widely among individuals.
How do chance and choice differ in influencing outcomes?
Chance influences outcomes through randomness, whereas choice influences outcomes through deliberate decisions.
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Maham Liaqat
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Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
