Chance and Serendipity in Try & Error

Abstract

In this paper, "chances," encountered in the course of trial & error, and "serendipity," the handling for the chances, are discussed and their related empirical research is reviewed. What is important in the course of trial & error is obtaining unexpected results, in other symbolic words, the encounter of "chances." This academic consideration presents the interpretation that the chance in trial & error is a kind of fluctuation phenomenon caused by some unstable state in the course of random probability. "Serendipity" is, on the other hand, cognitive actions anchoring the chances to some value or benefit. Here, the relations among serendipity, trial & error, and chances are graphically demonstrated. Serendipity should be took advantage of not only in the conventional fields of science and technology, but also in social or organizational context. It has an aspect leading to anti-paradigm choice. The empirical research presents that the important factors to serendipity generation, effective promotion factors and paths differ depending on the type of serendipity.