Essay Prompt:
Choice improves the quality of our lives. On the other hand, the fact that some choice is good doesn't necessarily mean that more choice is better. There is a problem with having too much choice. We are unwilling to give up any of our options, but stubbornly insisting upon having all the choices available to us can lead to bad decisions, stress, and dissatisfaction.
---- Adapted from Barry Schwartz, The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less
Assignment:
Is it better for people to have limited choices?
“What do you want to eat for lunch today? Korean cuisine, Japanese cuisine, Asian cuisine, seafood cuisine, Indian cuisine or Western cuisine?”
“Gosh I don’t know!”
As common as it seems, this conversation is simply a simplified version depicting the scenario of our choices in life. Even it is only for a meal, sometimes we are still perturbed by the myriad of choices. We couldn’t decide what to eat and take a long time to settle down our mind. However, does that mean that it is better if we have limited choices? Despite the fact that choices do befuddle one’s thoughts, I still reckon that it is better for people to have more choice instead of limited choice.
The logic behind this is simple. Just take the example of the lunch, would it be better if you have only one choice, “Malay cuisine” as your option for lunch? Definitely not, why? Because you feel that you lack of option. It is better for one to have a multiplicity of choices, because one can follow one’s desire in pursuing what one’s really wants to do. It is not a compelled decision due to circumstances or pressure of life, but one that is formed really according to heart. Incontrovertibly, there are situation when this spectrum of choices nonplus one, in front of so much options to choose, they are suddenly perplexed and torn over decisions, or so-called spoilt of choices. Nonetheless, this scenario is only restricted to minority of people, particularly those that are desultory on their decisions, because they do not know where they are heading to.
However for those who are clear on their pathway, all those open choices are just a back up for them. It can serve as a safety net for the people. For instance, a straight-A student is presented plenty of chances to admit to several renowned universities. So is it good for the student to apply for many universities? The answer is positive, as we know that the multiples application to many universities are not , but a back-up plans for the student. In any event that he does not obtain the most wanted choice, he still have contingency plan to resort to. In such case, having more choices are indisputably better, as it is a protection for someone.
However, definitely I would not dispel the thought that having limited choice makes people stay focused in the area that they opt to be in. However a question comes: Does he really select the choice based on his desire, or he chooses it because he is out of no choice? It is pitiful if one is disinclined of the choices, because it is a forceful will that is compelled on him. It is not a pleasure, but an obliged task. Will one be happy to be landed in this situation? Unassailably, no. Because of the limited choice, one could be upset or disappointed, because that is not what one yearns for.
In a nutshell, having more choices is better as it provides flexibility for one to select options in life. Instead of being constrained by one or two choices, . However, one condition applies for this situation. Having more choices is only beneficial for those that have clear purpose in mind i.e. those that know what they want out of so many choices. For those that rambles around, having more choices are simply having more troubles, as they can hardly settle down their thoughts and eventually lose all the chances they are initially qualified for.
Time spent: 40 minutes.
Argh. Didn’t write for 2 months, and English level deteriorates again.
Feel free to let me know if you have more ideas.
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