Randomness: A Dual Lens on Order and Freedom

In a world where every detail is imbued with the energy of uncertainty, the concept of randomness becomes the key to understanding the limits of our perception. An introduction to this subject allows us to build a bridge between an objective reality—where a random event is devoid of inherent regularity—and subjective observations, in which we use the notion of randomness to explain the incompleteness of our knowledge.

The main section exposes two aspects: the objective and the subjective. From an objective point of view, randomness means the absence of any order—if it contained regularities, it would become a hidden law. It is precisely this lack of deep order that challenges our ideas of causality and logic. However, when we confront the limitations of our understanding, the concept of randomness takes on a different meaning. Here, probability theory becomes an indispensable tool, enabling us to rationalize unpredictability and explain that part of the world which escapes our analysis. This balance between the absolute negativity of randomness and its subjective usefulness highlights the importance of not confusing randomness with true freedom—a freedom that, contrary to chaos, is a creative force of self-legislation.

In conclusion, by studying randomness we come to realize its dual nature: it both testifies to our limitations and motivates us to seek new ways of ordering the world. Understanding this subtle nuance not only enriches philosophical discourse, but also helps us see freedom as an independent creative principle that does not succumb to irrational whims. Such a perspective fills our decisions and actions with energy, making them conscious and effective despite the apparent chaos of the surrounding world.

Can randomness be considered a form of hidden order yet to be understood, and how does this influence our perception of the world?

The answer is based on the examination of two aspects of the concept of randomness—objective and subjective. Objectively, randomness is defined as the absence of any internal regularities; if randomness were a hidden order, it would imply some law, but by definition a random event lacks any autonomous regularity. As noted in one of the sources:
"However, in reality there is an enormous distance between the concepts of freedom and randomness. Freedom is the self-determination of will, i.e. self-legislation, while randomness, by its very definition, excludes all forms of lawfulness, even that of an autonomous order. On the contrary, randomness would either hinder free action, or (if understood intrinsically) turn our personality into a play of irrational whims. Therefore, it is necessary to strictly distinguish freedom from randomness; confusing these concepts leads to the obscuring of the issue, as many examples in the history of philosophy attest. It is not for nothing that N. Gartman said, 'the doom of the freedom problem lies in the fact that it is too often understood as randomness.'" (source: 1280_6399.txt)

On the other hand, in a subjective sense, randomness proves to be a useful concept that reflects the limitations of our perceptual framework and the insufficiency of capturing all the factors at play in the world. In other words, we label a phenomenon as random when we are unable to grasp the full set of its determining elements, and we employ tools such as probability theory for this purpose. This is illustrated in the following excerpt:
"Randomness in the subjective sense is a useful concept. It indicates that we have not taken all factors into account or that the coordinate system from which we start does not sufficiently cover the entirety of phenomena. To rationalize such randomness, the 'theory of probability'—a discipline developed in mathematics that helps to minimize unpredictability through a rational consideration of probabilities—is employed." (source: 1280_6399.txt)

Thus, considering randomness as a form of hidden order is only possible insofar as it signals the incompleteness of our understanding of the world. Yet, an objectively random event is always devoid of an internal order that could be described as a "hidden law." This perspective influences our perception of the world because, when faced with unpredictability, we attempt to rationalize and organize phenomena through probabilistic analysis, which in turn helps us view freedom as a creative rather than a chaotic force. It is important not to confuse the concepts of freedom and randomness, as noted:
"Birth and death (beginning and end, alpha and omega), as well as all events and decisions that break with the old and usher in the new, carry a fateful meaning. Acts of freedom that determine destiny always appear random on good grounds—precisely because the act of freedom is impenetrable to reason. In the history of philosophy, there are two understandings of freedom: as chance and as creative possibility. The understanding of freedom as randomness does not withstand ontological criticism, although this negative judgment is reversible: externally, freedom manifests itself as randomness." (source: 201_1000.txt)

Summing up, randomness in the objective sense is not a hidden order but rather reflects our limited perception and ignorance of all influencing factors, while in the subjective sense it serves as a regulatory concept that helps us structure the world and understand where our analysis does not fully capture the determining factors of events.