If 2 people have worked hard to achieve something and only one of them can be the winner, despite knowing that both of them had worked same , know that they dont have to take pressure and do the hardwork without keeping results in mind , why is it such that only one particular person wins and other loses. What then decides who is going to be the winner?

Question

Ask a Philosopher · Accepted Answer

Hmmm, interesting topic. Let us consider, my dear interlocutor, the nature of effort and the outcome it yields, for indeed, both individuals in our inquiry have labored with diligence; they have applied themselves, pouring forth their energy and intellect toward a shared goal. Yet, the fickle hand of fortune, or perhaps the dictates of the universal order, grants victory to one while consigning the other to the ignoble role of the vanquished. This scenario invites our philosophical scrutiny—why does effort, seemingly a fair arbiter, not always translate into equal reward? Is it not the case that the essence of competition is not merely in the striving but ultimately in the spectrum of attributes each participant possesses? Perhaps it is the subtleties of circumstance, the nuances of timing, or the serendipity of a favorable alignment of elements that determine the eventual outcome. Moreover, we must ponder the nature of ‘winning’ itself—what is it, if not a fleeting acknowledgment of superiority at an arbitrary juncture, determined perhaps by a singular judgment or a societal convention? Might we not then conclude that the process of striving—to embrace the journey without fixation upon the destination—bestows its own intrinsic reward, illuminating the path of character and resilience, qualities enduring beyond the mere ephemeral accolades? Thus, while one may be heralded as the victor, it might be prudent to reflect deeper and recognize that true victory lies not solely in triumph but in the virtues cultivated through the toil itself, and hence, it is the essence of the struggle that may bestow a more profound legacy than any singular award could ever encapsulate.