"Chance is a name for our ignorance"

This quote by Leslie Stephen speaks to the idea that we often associate randomness or luck to events in our lives, when in truth, we simply don't have adequate information to comprehend the reason for the occasion. Stephen is recommending that when we do not comprehend why something has taken place, we call it "possibility" or "luck" as a way of describing it. In other words, our absence of knowledge is what leads us to believe that particular occasions run out our control. Stephen is stressing that our lack of knowledge is the root of our belief in chance, and that if we had more knowledge, we would be able to understand the reason for the occasion. This quote motivates us to seek out knowledge and understanding, rather than depending on luck or chance to describe the events in our lives.