In any situation, progress requires discussion among people who have contrasting points of view.

Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the statement and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should consider ways in which the statement might or might not hold true and explain how these considerations shape your position.

Essay:

It is said that too many cooks spoil the broth. However, if said broth is replaced by, say, a decision to build a highway, then one would not be confident enough to push with it on their own. A contrasting opinion brought about by people with experience in various fields is important and beneficial before taking any decision that involves multiple stakeholders and subsequently brings about progress. This thesis sheds light on the situations where varies points of view are vital to bring about progress.

Individuals who have spent years mastering a craft bring with them their invaluable experiences which cannot be replaced by any text. Contrasting points of view provide multiple angles to look at the situation at hand and are a catalyst in developing a strategy that optimized the required outcome. Looking at the way governments function in the modern world illustrates this point well. Ministers and experts from multiple departments come together and debate over the problems being faced and emerge with a bullet-proof plan that can bring about progress, minimizing the collateral damage it can cause while maximizing the desired outcome. For example, if a highway is to be built, recommendations from the environment, business and finance department is crucial before taking any step. If done right, this can save thousands of hours of transit time and provide immense financial gain to the country.

In contrast, trivial decisions are only impeded by exposure to multiple perspectives. This can be due to two main reasons – information overload causing analysis paralysis and undue influence on the task at hand exerted by different people pitching in their opinion. Decisions like working towards improving one’s fitness do not require multiple perspectives. In this case, if one consults multiple people, it can only impede in doing what matters the most – starting to work out. Similarly, when one is deciding which university to study in, the most important factor is to look inward and understand what works for you best. If one consults multiple people who all have contrasting opinions, this decision becomes too complicated and can cause delays and even choosing the wrong career entirely.

It is thus important to understand which situations require contrasting opinions and which do not. Taking the right decision before consulting different parties can mean an optimized plan of action or an aimless and delayed action. Someone who is good at handling these decisions often emerges successful.