The hardest choices are often between two good things. For example take the quandary Adam and Eve found in the Garden of Eden. God had given them two commandments: they were commanded to replenish and multiply (Genesis 1:28), and they were command not to partake of the fruit of the tree of good and evil (Genesis 2:17). The quandary was they could not keep one without breaking the other (2 Nephi 2:22-23).
Why would a loving God give two contrary commandments? I think Joseph F. McConkie gave one of the best answers I have ever heard (The "How" of Scripture Study, BYU Education Week: August 21, 2006). In truth it seems we are all faced between two things we love, two goods or two commandments that conflict with each another.
Jack Bauer is not the only person faced choosing between two goods, family or country? We are all faced with decisions in life which bare negative consequences because they force us to choose between two good things. It is a particular challenge for people who believe in the morality of consequences. If the consequence is good then the decision is good. If the consequence is bad then the decision is bad. But in truth the hardest and sometimes the most honest things we do have negative consequences. That is why the Garden of Eden is so crucial. It teaches not to focus on one commandment or one good thing but teaches us that we must weigh everything in the balance and then choose the greater good, despite the consequences.
Here are my awful questions (between two goods). I know this sounds ludicrous but I believe some people have actually been face with some of these questions. The real point of the questions is to force you into a difficult situation. I think the awful questions make us think about some of the choices we make. Those who believe that every decision in life has an answer with no negative outcomes will refuse but just because your candidate isn't on the ballet doesn't mean you shouldn't vote:)
You must choose between saving
You must choose between
You must choose between saving
And here are the worse than awful questions (between two evils). These are the worst of any situation. Every time I vote in the presidential elections, I feel like I am choosing between two bad candidates. Nobody likes these questions, that might explain low voter turn out. I honestly don't know if it is true but Hiroshima was always explained to me in these terms. I can't imagine being President Truman.
Oh, leave it to you to do this.
ReplyDeleteAwful questions indeed. I'm glad I don't have to choose any today.
It's like the infamous butterfly question. Jeremy and I had a very long discussion about that and we still don't agree.
Thanks for putting it out there.
:)
This was great!
ReplyDeleteSome of those questions are horrible!!! Too bad I really do feel in life I really do have to choose sometimes between two goods. Often infact. And I do not do well making decisions like that. Just this year I had to choose between to hard things. I finally made my decision. I felt good about it until recently, when I realized I really did make the wrong decision. It wasn't life or death, but it did affect things. You have got me thinking once again Stanford. But, really, some of those questions I really didn't know how to decide.
ReplyDeleteWhat in the world inspired this?
ReplyDeleteQuestions are easier to answer if you have already decided on basic principles that you would follow.
ReplyDelete