Inaction versus Wrong Action
By: Dr. Reyaz Ahmad
Throughout human history, decisions have been made based on a wide range of factors, from rigorous planning to irrational speculation. In addition to monuments and manuscripts, our ancestors’ legacy also includes the results of their choices, including the inertia of inaction and the fallout from poorly thought-out actions.
We stand at a crossroads now, empowered by the clarity of hindsight but also surrounded by the uncertainty that accompanies every choice. In the absence of clear precedents, this article examines the fine line that separates doing nothing from doing the wrong thing. It does this by looking at prior failures and helping us understand how the trial-and-error process influences our current decisions.
Historical Passivity: The cost of stagnation
- Lost Chances for Advancement
Lost potential for progress has frequently defined periods of inaction throughout history. For example, the European Dark Ages’ stagnation and suppression of scientific investigation hindered the advancement of culture and technology that could have built upon the successes of the ancient world.
- The Repercussions of Ignorance
Relentlessly failing to act while injustice is being done has been a mistake. Think about how the world responded passively to the early 20th-century genocides; this allowed crimes to worsen, taking countless lives and creating lasting damage that would not go away.
- The Risk of complacency
Political and economic inaction, such as ignoring the indicators that the Great Depression was coming, serves as an example of how complacency can result in serious systemic disasters. These miscalculations of passivity resulted in protracted suffering and underscored the urgent requirement for effective governance.
Incorrect Course of Action: The Consequences of Misguided Choices
- The Dangers of a Conviction without Proof
Historical wrongdoing frequently resulted from decisions that were based on conviction but lacked supporting data. Unfounded notions of superiority and manifest destiny were frequently used as justifications for the expansion of colonial empires, which resulted in the exploitation and persecution of indigenous populations.
- The Hazards of Extremist Ideology
There are many instances of bad deeds committed in the name of extremist ideologies throughout the 20th century. Motivated by warped worldviews, the totalitarian governments of Stalinist Russia and Nazi Germany perpetrated terrible crimes, such as aggressive war crimes and genocide, which resulted in a terrible human cost.
- Technological misadventures
The advancement of technology has not shielded wrongdoing. The environmental debacle of the Chornobyl nuclear accident serves as a sobering reminder of the perils associated with an excessive reliance on technology without a corresponding regard for safety precautions and a realistic assessment of the hazards involved.
As a Mathematics professor, I engage my students daily in problem-solving exercises. They encounter a mix of problems—some are familiar and well-rehearsed, while others are novel in both style and concept. When faced with these unfamiliar problems, without any prior reference, the students often resort to the trial and error technique to find the correct solution.
This approach mirrors the experiences of the present generation. They comfortably follow traditions inherited from their ancestors, but when confronted with new challenges, they find themselves in unfamiliar territory. To navigate these uncharted waters, they, too, apply the trial and error method, drawing upon their knowledge and ingenuity. This method becomes a crucial tool for problem-solving, both in the classroom and in the broader context of life’s unpredictability.
The Method of Trial and Error in the Event of No Prior Evidence
- Traversing Unknown Regions
When prior data or models are unavailable, modern decision-makers frequently resort to the trial-and-error approach. This is best illustrated by the ongoing difficulties in mitigating climate change, as countries try various approaches to strike a balance between environmental stewardship and economic growth.
- The Contribution of Innovation to Education
Innovation in science and technology is a kind of controlled trial and error. For example, testing and improvement of vaccines are done iteratively. In this process, making mistakes is not only unavoidable but also a useful teaching tool that points us in the direction of workable answers.
- Ethical Aspects of Contemporary Decision-Making Today’s decision-makers take into account ethical factors that our predecessors may have disregarded. For example, in scientific research, past transgressions have resulted in strict ethical rules for experiments involving humans and animals, guaranteeing that knowledge acquisition does not come at the expense of well-being.
In conclusion
Our lives are precious, and so were the lives of those who came before us, as will be those who come after us. Let’s use our ancestors’ lessons and strengths to help make the best world we can for future generations.The false choice is presented by the binary of doing nothing vs acting incorrectly. Making decisions based on historical lessons is the actual path of informed action. We can equip ourselves with the knowledge to make wiser decisions by owning up to our past mistakes, both of wrongdoing and inaction.
When combined with historical awareness and ethical considerations, the trial-and-error approach can be a highly effective force for advancement. As we move forward, let us keep in mind that every choice we make shapes a small portion of the future from the vast expanse of unknowable possibilities, and it is our enormous obligation to do so with courage and caution. Our lives are precious, and so were the lives of those who came before us, as will be those who come after us. Let’s use our ancestors’ lessons and strengths to help make the best world we can for future generations.
(The author is a Faculty member at the Department of Mathematics, SUC, Sharjah, UAE)
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