We make mistakes because the outcome of any given action is unknowable. Every time we choose between "two roads diverging in a yellow wood" we can make predictions about what results will follow but never know how our choice compares to what might have been had we chosen differently. Most importantly, when we make a wrong choice and ask ourselves why we didn't take another option when we had the chance, there is always the possibility that another action may have been MORE wrong.

The types of mistakes I write about above are what I would categorize as "life mistakes" and ultimately (and I am no philosopher) this burden of choice is also empowering because it is evidence that we are free to choose. We can also choose rightly and if we are prepared to reproach ourselves for our mistakes, then we must be equally prepared to congratulate ourselves upon our successes.

There is another class of mistakes I would term "absolute mistakes" and these are acts that we all know are wrong but commit during moments or periods of weakness. This class of mistakes include acts of neglect, betrayal, infidelity and dishonesty. Even the weak can make choices to seek support or surround themselves with influences that will foster strength. So really, there isn't a good reason why human evil need be as widespread as it is.

In conclusion, making mistakes is linked to our ability to choose. Some mistakes are entirely unavoidable given that many actions aren't technically mistakes until their undesirable result is known. For instance, I go to my broker and invest my life savings in dot-com stocks. The next day the sector collapses and I'm entirely wiped out. People exclaim, "What an idiot! How could he make such a mistake?" But the future is never certain and the next day could have seen my portfolio soar to 100 times its original value. Well then people exclaim, "What foresight! What daring. How natural that he should be rewarded for his wisdom."

I am not encouraging recklessness, rather I exaggerate to make the point. It seems to me that the most likely way that one may avoid mistakes is by choosing to gather sufficient personal strength to steer clear of those "absolute mistakes" and also by giving the most forethought possible to those choices that might result in "life mistakes."

Learn more about this author, Russell Dawson.
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