We think of ourselves as individuals in control of our lives. Indeed, many think anyone could end up rich and successful if they just pulled themselves up by their own bootstraps. But the author of one of the most Humanist of the Bible's books, Ecclesiastes, observed long ago: The fastest runner doesn’t always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn’t always win the battle. The wise sometimes go hungry, and the skillful are not necessarily wealthy. And those who are educated don’t always lead successful lives. It is all decided by chance, by being in the right place at the right time. So how important is chance to your life?

Sven Sinclair, FSA, PhD, economist and actuary, co-editor of the The North American Actuarial Journal, and a Jeopardy! winning contestant will discuss this, and more.