Symbolisation of Ethical Issues

Tomorrow, I can choose between following my Foundations of Quantum Mechanics course and protesting against the Dutch goverment's ideas on the future of the Universities. This is a difficult choice. Foundations of Quantum Mechanics is, for me, the most important course I'm currently following. It is a subject I might wish to graduate on, and maybe - if I get the chance - one in which I'd like to be a researcher. The protest is important too, as our neoliberal right-wing government has plans which are simply preposterous. My attempt to change the time of the course has failed, so there is no way I can avoid the ethical dilemma - which course of action is the best?

At a first glance, this is an extremely difficult question. The two possible choices are so different that one can hardly compare them. Which criteria should I use to make and justify a choice? There is little difference in importance, in fun, and so on. No simple practical reason seems to be available to prefer one above the other.

And this is were symbolisation comes into it. By making the choices symbols for more fundamental choices, thus taking the dilemma to another level, it can become much clearer what one ought to do. In this case, the symbolisation is straightforward. Protesting is a symbol of left-wing political activism. Following the course is a symbol of scientific and philosophical research. So the question I now posed myself was: are you more of a scientist-philosopher, or more of a political activist?

And thus the answer became clear - I love the left-wing movements, but I feel a closer link to science and philosophy. So I decided to follow the course - and at the same time I decided that I'll choose science over politics. My choice became much easier, and also much deeper. From a difficult but rather shallow dilemma, it changed into a confrontation with myself.

So what is the use of this practice of symbolisation? It can often make your choices easier, but it will always make them much more meaningful. It is not always applicable, but when it is I highly recommend it.

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