Appointments Quote by William McIlvanney
“Four experts had an appointment with an ordinary man. They needed him to ratify their findings, or anything they achieved would be meaningless. As they drove to meet him, they knocked down a man on the road. He was dying. If they tried to save him, they might miss their appointment. They decided that their appointment, which concerned all of us, was more important than the life of one man. They drove on to keep their appointment. They did not know that the man they were to meet was the man they had left to die.”
About This Quote
The story illustrates the moral dilemma of prioritizing abstract goals over immediate human life, highlighting ethical blind spots.
In simple terms: Choosing goals over a dying person is morally wrong.
Key Takeaway
Balance duty with compassion.
Themes
ethics
decision‑making
human value
Mood
conflicted
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- medical emergencies
- legal obligations
- business deadlines
- war decisions
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
utilitarianism
Questions to Reflect On
- What responsibilities do we have to individuals versus collective goals?
- When is it justified to sacrifice one for many?
A Different Perspective
Prioritizing abstract goals can dehumanize individuals.
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