There are many cases in which you are in a position in which you have to choose between two things. You are, say, taking a certain class for credit and there are a certain number of required days of attendance. You must attend those days. At the same time as one of your classes you may find out about an important rally or demonstration for a cause that you believe in.

Which should you do? How can you make a decision?

You'll probably have to decide that yourself, but there is a secondary aspect.

If you decide to go the rally, then you may want to speak to your professor and to explain that you were doing something that was important - that rally - and that the professor himself may even agree with the goals of the rally.

For that reason you may feel that you should receive credit for the course even though you did not attend because the rally was important.

However, that is not fair.

Making a decision means that you chose to do something that is important at the expense of another. That also may mean that you would have to lose out on something as a result.

If you have chosen to go to the rally that means that the rally is more important than the course credit. If you really believe in the rally then go ahead, please attend, but it is not fair for you to expect credit for the class.

A similar situation may arise if you are taking a course and your child is sick. You have to make a decision whether to leave the child with a babysitter or to come to the class. But if you do not come to class then you again may lose credit for the course.

The decision is yours but it is not fair to take care of your primary obligation, which unquestionably is the child, and also to expect credit for the secondary obligation, which is the course.

You've made a decision about which is more important. Your decision is wise. You decision is acceptable and you've done the right thing under the circumstances.

But because of making that decision it means that you have decided that the course will have to be forfeited and you have sacrificed it for the child.

Congratulations on a wise decision.

However, that also means that you will not be able to get credit for the course and it is unfair for you to demand that credit. You have made a decision. The decision that you have chosen the thing that is more important, but the institution, the college, does not have to suffer because of it. Nor does your course requirement.