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Train Track and Children
The story given here is quite interesting and really gives us an insight into
DECISION MAKING
DECISION MAKING
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.
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 saved most of
the kids.
make the train change its course to the disused track and saved 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 its way?
would be sacrificed. Or would you rather let the train go its way?
Let's take a pause to think what kind of decision we could make..
Analyse the situation..
Think and reflect..
Decided your answer!!
Think and reflect..
Decided your answer!!
Most people might choose to divert the course of the train, and sacrifice
only one child. To save most of the children at the expense of only one
child was rational decision most people would make, morally and
emotionally.
only one child. To save most of the children at the expense of only one
child was 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?
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 everyday. In the office, community, in politics and especially in a
democratic society, 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.
chose to play where the danger was. This kind of dilemma happens around
us everyday. In the office, community, in politics and especially in a
democratic society, 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 a tear for him.
sidelined. And in the case he was sacrificed, no one would shed a tear for him.
To make the proper decision is not try to change the course of the train
because the kids playing on the operational track should have known very
well that track was still in use, and that they should have run away if they
heard the train's sirens.
because the kids playing on the operational track should have known very
well that 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.
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
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."
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."
Remember:
Everybody makes mistakes; that's why they put erasers on pencils
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