Three Perspectives of Being “Correct”

Hey Friends,

Have you ever been in a situation where you thought you were right, but someone else had a completely different opinion? It can be frustrating, confusing, and even infuriating. But what if we told you that there are actually 3 perspectives of being "correct"? That's right - 3!

The Landslide

Imagine a landslide hits a residential area in Hong Kong, and you’re trying to figure out who’s to blame. There are three perspectives on the matter, and they’re all pretty different!

First, the lawyer says the construction company is legally responsible for all damages caused by the landslide, including loss of life and property damage. Classic lawyer move, right?

Then, the economist comes in and says, “Hold up, hold up. Let’s think about this from a societal standpoint.” They suggest that it might be more effective for the government to implement regulations and guidelines to prevent profit-hungry construction companies from choosing money over the safety of the community. By doing so, the government can proactively prevent such incidents from happening in the first place. It might not make perfect sense from a moral perspective, but then it’s usually most effective.

Finally, the businessman chimes in and says, "Well, you know what they say, buyer beware!" According to him, individuals who choose to live in such an area are responsible for their own safety and should have done more research before moving in. Ultimately, they will be the ones who suffer in case of any unfortunate event.

What’s the key difference between the 3 perspectives?

From a legal perspective, the focus is on determining who is morally and legally wrong. This perspective is useful for identifying legal responsibilities and consequences.

From an economist's perspective, the focus is on the social cost and effectiveness of the situation. This perspective is useful for determining the most efficient and beneficial course of action for society as a whole.

From a businessman's perspective, the focus is on individual interests and taking responsibility for one's actions. This perspective is useful for determining how to move forward and minimize personal losses.

Conclusion: When to play which role?

If you are not directly involved in a situation or are only there to comment, it makes perfect sense to take a lawyer's point of view. However, if you are the one who sets the rules and policies, you might want to take an economic approach and focus on social costs and effectiveness. On the other hand, if you are going to be directly affected by the situation, taking the businessman's approach and owning up to your actions is the way to go.