The story given below is quite interesting and really gives us an insight into DECISION MAKING.
Which one will you choose?
A group of children were playing near two railway tracks, one still in use while the other disused. Only one child played on the disused track, the rest on the operational track. The train came, and you were just beside the track interchange. You could make the train change its course to the disused track and save most of the kids.
However, that would also mean the lone child playing by the disused track would be sacrificed. Or would you rather let the train go on it's way?
Let's take a pause to think about what kind of decision we could make...
Most people might choose to divert the course of the train and sacrifice only one child. You might think the same way, I guess. Exactly, I thought the same way initially because to save most of the children at the expense of only one child was a rational decision most people would make, morally and emotionally. But, have you ever thought that the child choosing to play on the disused track had in fact made the right decision to play at a safe place?
Nevertheless, he had to be sacrificed because of his ignorant friends who chose to play where the danger was. This kind of dilemma happens around us every day. In the office, community, politics, and in a democratic society, especially the minority is often sacrificed for the interest of the majority, no matter how foolish or ignorant the majority are, and how farsighted and knowledgeable the minority are.
The child who chose not to play with the rest on the operational track was sidelined. And in the case he was sacrificed, no one! would shed tears for him.
The friend who forwarded me the story said he would not try to change the course of the train because he believed that the kids playing on the operational track should have known very well that the track was still in use, and that they should have run away if they heard the train's sirens.
If the train was diverted, that lone child would definitely die because he never thought the train could come over to that track!
Moreover, that track was not in use probably because it was not safe. If the train was diverted to the track, we could put the lives of all passengers on board at stake! And in your attempt to save a few kids by sacrificing one child, you might end up sacrificing hundreds of people to save these few kids.
While we are all aware that life is full of tough decisions that need to be made, we may not realize that hasty decisions may not always be the right one.
"Remember that what's right isn't always popular... and what's popular isn't always right."
From India, Indore
Which one will you choose?
A group of children were playing near two railway tracks, one still in use while the other disused. Only one child played on the disused track, the rest on the operational track. The train came, and you were just beside the track interchange. You could make the train change its course to the disused track and save most of the kids.
However, that would also mean the lone child playing by the disused track would be sacrificed. Or would you rather let the train go on it's way?
Let's take a pause to think about what kind of decision we could make...
Most people might choose to divert the course of the train and sacrifice only one child. You might think the same way, I guess. Exactly, I thought the same way initially because to save most of the children at the expense of only one child was a rational decision most people would make, morally and emotionally. But, have you ever thought that the child choosing to play on the disused track had in fact made the right decision to play at a safe place?
Nevertheless, he had to be sacrificed because of his ignorant friends who chose to play where the danger was. This kind of dilemma happens around us every day. In the office, community, politics, and in a democratic society, especially the minority is often sacrificed for the interest of the majority, no matter how foolish or ignorant the majority are, and how farsighted and knowledgeable the minority are.
The child who chose not to play with the rest on the operational track was sidelined. And in the case he was sacrificed, no one! would shed tears for him.
The friend who forwarded me the story said he would not try to change the course of the train because he believed that the kids playing on the operational track should have known very well that the track was still in use, and that they should have run away if they heard the train's sirens.
If the train was diverted, that lone child would definitely die because he never thought the train could come over to that track!
Moreover, that track was not in use probably because it was not safe. If the train was diverted to the track, we could put the lives of all passengers on board at stake! And in your attempt to save a few kids by sacrificing one child, you might end up sacrificing hundreds of people to save these few kids.
While we are all aware that life is full of tough decisions that need to be made, we may not realize that hasty decisions may not always be the right one.
"Remember that what's right isn't always popular... and what's popular isn't always right."
From India, Indore
54
Very interesting-"What is right is not always popular and what is popular is not always right" is very true indeed. Consider Test cricket v/s one-day cricket- most cricketers say that test cricket is the real cricket but it is the other form which is more popular. Art cinema vls commercial cinema- "What is good is not necessary successful and vice versa"
In the context of decision making, politicans have no such dilemma. For their vote banks, they can make any decision hearltessly though it may neither be popular not right just the way they are.
In companies, smart subordinates who become popular are also sacrificed. Vanity of human beings also decides; not just majority.
From India, New Delhi
In the context of decision making, politicans have no such dilemma. For their vote banks, they can make any decision hearltessly though it may neither be popular not right just the way they are.
In companies, smart subordinates who become popular are also sacrificed. Vanity of human beings also decides; not just majority.
From India, New Delhi
Food for thought.
Split second decisions may not always, in retrospect, have been the right ones .....
Perhaps stopping to consider all the alternatives even if it takes a few seconds longer, might have been a better bet.....
Also, I agree that shouting at the children playing on the active track to get off the track would have helped most, if not all, to escape, thus ensuring the train passengers' safety ....
Very interesting. I hope I too would have taken the correct decision, time permitting!
Jeroo
From India, Mumbai
Split second decisions may not always, in retrospect, have been the right ones .....
Perhaps stopping to consider all the alternatives even if it takes a few seconds longer, might have been a better bet.....
Also, I agree that shouting at the children playing on the active track to get off the track would have helped most, if not all, to escape, thus ensuring the train passengers' safety ....
Very interesting. I hope I too would have taken the correct decision, time permitting!
Jeroo
From India, Mumbai
HI,
A good story.
Believe me , Its logical to spare the boy who used the unused rail.
He should be rewarded for his logical decession !!
Keep learning !!
Prasanth Nair
www.nnair.8m.com
From United Arab Emirates, Dubai
A good story.
Believe me , Its logical to spare the boy who used the unused rail.
He should be rewarded for his logical decession !!
Keep learning !!
Prasanth Nair
www.nnair.8m.com
From United Arab Emirates, Dubai
It is really a challenge to any one. But I am not in favour of sacrificing a righteous child at the cost of those who know that track they are using is functional and in use. Moreover in this particular case, the sound of the train will also be helpful to take timely decision to avoid any mishap. Certainly, one right can not be drowned to save many wrongs.
Manmohan guleria
From Italy, Segrate
Manmohan guleria
From Italy, Segrate
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