I am currentlly a uni student doing a degree in Human Services and this is a question that comes up alot when speaking about policies (especially in government) where the policy tends to service majoritys more readly than the exception to the cause.
2007-01-23 17:23:04 · 12 answers · asked by angelicrulz 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Do I think its fair? No, but I think it necessary at times.
2007-01-23 17:32:12 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
that is a question that most human services struggle with daily. I think the answer...which can not be classified as correct or incorrect lies in determining what ones goal is. You can't please everyone all the time, so you need to figure out who you are trying to please. I run a childrens program that is not only exceptional, but highly recommended. Suffice to say, our registration is full. I have to turn many kids away. Sometimes people critisize me because they feel like I should take the child...they need to be there, but reality is that I can't take everyone and if I did take one more child then I may be compromising the quality and safety of the services we provide to all the other children in the program. Realistically, we could take more children in, and operate smoothly, but what people don't realize that the quality of the service will decrease taking away from the goals of our program. The one on one attention that we strive to give these kids that need it will no longer be possible. We will be a different program.
Another example in relation to governement is the minimum wage debate. While we may want to believe our government has compassion for those earning minimum wage, and that they force it upon companies that are struggling to make payroll, we lose site of the governements goal. That struggling company may go under because it can't afford the minimum wage increase...but in the governments eyes...increasing minimum wage means that people have more money to spend...in turn keeping businesses afloat and the economy moving. This effects far more businesses positivly the negatively. The sacrifice is made. (another reason why we have the welfare system.) If the governments goal was in fact to be compassionate...then enforcing minimum wage laws may not be the best approach in achieving that goal.
So basically, sacrificing one can be concidered fair if your goal is effecting a large scale. This can always be argued...because the what if factor is always there...
Distributive Justice....the age old conflict!
2007-01-23 17:50:18 · answer #2 · answered by eyellnevrtell 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is a small story that is taught in Management. There was this little boy who was playing on the abandoned train track. And then there were a bunch of 15 - 20 children playing on a frequently used train track. You are the person controlling the path of the train at that junction. What will you do now if a train comes there? Will you let the train follow the original path and put the bunch in danger....or divert it to the less used path and sacrifice the lone kid?
The answer is to let the train follow its original path. Here are the reasons...first, this is the only child following instructions of playing on the unused track....second, he will not be alert to any train coming on the track as he is certain it is the unused track...third, there must be a reason for the track to be not used and by diverting the train you are risking the lives of all the people on board the train. fourth, the children on the used track know that a train might be coming anytime and are aware that they have to empty the track when they see one.......
Jist of the story, you cannot sacrifice one for the many.
2007-01-23 17:34:48 · answer #3 · answered by Phil 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well of course it is not fair to sacrifice one for the many, but that's just how it works. Sadly. Your question appealed to me in a different light, maybe it is still relevant and hopefully i give you some answers.
When ever there is a revolution someone is the planner, and then there is a person(s) that will implement he change after it has arrived, and of course there are the ones who will have to shed blood to make this revolution happen.
So again is it fair. No. But that's just how it is. One Love.
2007-01-23 17:32:56 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Does it really matter? In the end humans don't make that big an impact in the universe. Sacrifice the one and his family and friends care, but when they die no one remembers the one sacrificed. Let the many die and again their families and friends care, but when they are gone who remembers the many anymore?
Do you remember your great, great, great grandfather. Probably not, he died long before you were born. Does it matter that you wouldn't be here without him? Not really, you didn't know him and so the fact that he died doesn't affect you much.
Sacrifice the one to save the many, let the many die to save the one. It's a small dent in the fabric of time and future, and it will be ironed out soon enough.
2007-01-23 17:43:11 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it never is|||||
That was the precise principle behind the policies of monsters such as Pol Pot, Mao, Stalin, Hitler, Clinton, Trudeau etc.
The end never justifies the means|
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2007-01-23 17:34:45 · answer #6 · answered by Catholic Philosopher 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In my opinion, it's never fair. But, as others have mentioned, it's sometimes necessary. For some, it is better to lose one than lose many.
2007-01-23 17:39:11 · answer #7 · answered by Samarah 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes it is, only if you thought it over and over, like what could it resolved, or the possible outcomes. sacrificing means a lot especially when life is involved.
2007-01-23 17:35:06 · answer #8 · answered by jhust b 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the one is willing then it is that beings choice. We can not interfere with individual choices.
If it is not that beings choice, then who are we to impose our will upon another?
2007-01-23 17:32:27 · answer #9 · answered by Peter R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask the one who is going to be sacrificed.
2007-01-23 17:33:32 · answer #10 · answered by Alwyn C 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋