Negative view
The ‘Battle at Kruger’ shows a routine daily life in the African savanna. In it, a group of buffalo is going toward a river to drink water. There near lies a group of lions, apparently calm and relaxed. They seem to show no interest in the coming group of buffalo. Yet, as soon as a young calf disengages from the group a few yards, the lions attack surprisingly and fiercely. They persist in their attack even though the calf strives to getaway. After a while, a couple of older buffalos gathers and attacks the lions in an attempt to save the calf. Their counterattack persists until they drive all the lions away and the young calf is safe.
The video depicts the principles of a struggle for survival. It is also a live example of the succumbing of the weak and the triumph of the stronger. In this case, this situation is demonstrated by the lion attack on the calf that separated from the rest of the buffalo group. If carefully viewed, it is a perfect example of how the strong, the predators, will immediately take advantage of every mistake from the weak. In this case, the moment the calf separated from the rest of the buffalo group it was attacked by the lions. It is very interesting to note that the group of lions seemed calm and with no intention of attacking. The lions seemed pretty calm and relaxed. Then suddenly they exploded in a fierce attack toward the lonely calf.
It resembles the attitudes of many human beings in today’s modern societies. Just like the lions, some individuals seem to be disinterested in your actions. Nevertheless, the moment that you slip or do something wrong, they immediately try to take advantage of your situation. The perseverance of the attackers to complete their goal is also something very important. They not only take advantage of the situation but also collaborate to finish the calf. It is a good example of how real-life predators in our societies do not work alone but collaborate to take advantage even of one prey.
Positive view
The ‘Battle at Kruger’ video shows a routine day in the African savanna. In it, a group of buffalo is going toward a river to drink water. There near lies a group of lions, apparently calm and relaxed. They seem to show no interest in the coming group of buffalo. Yet, as soon as a young calf disengages from the group a few yards, the lions attack. They persist in their attack even though the calf strives to getaway. After a while, a couple of older buffalos gathers and attacks the lions in an attempt to save the calf. Their counterattack persists until they drive all the lions away and the young calf is safe.
The video is a clear demonstration of the spirit of collaboration and the values of bravery and community help. This is true even in the animal world. The attack on the young calf is a representation of the negative aspects of daily life. Be it either a premeditated attack or an accident, bad things happen during routine life. What is important is to try to resist and fight back these attacks or accidents (Fagothey, 6). This is what the young calf did until help arrived from other stronger members of the herd. Nevertheless, the values of individual resistance, perseverance and patience are very important and one should not give them away even in seemingly hopeless situations (Solomon, p. 14).
It is also important to note that others will not come to help if you do not strive to remove yourself from that bad situation in the first place. Nevertheless, the reaction of the group on the help of the calf was a demonstration of the values of courage, unity and group strength. These values facilitate success for a community or a group (Becker and Becker, p. 76). They fought back even though had to deal with fierce predators. Because of their efforts, they triumphed in their undertaking. It is an example of the importance of group unity and that together we can do it.
Self-reflection
This case shows how from the same story an observer can realize two different versions of reality. It demonstrates the human ability to interpret reality following his / he internal value system and beliefs. We see what we want to see in an event. In our case, both versions have used the same facts but have reached different conclusions. An external observer interprets data differently depending on his / her viewpoint and/or personal framework (Blackburn, p. 5).
Nevertheless, a good observer considers all possible viewpoints and fact interpretations to form a broad picture of reality. In the case of the ‘battle of Kruger’, a good analyst considers both versions as described above and tries to merge them into a single reality. This merging of the two versions is what real life is all about. Both versions can be considered true. Negative and bad things happen during life and predators are always keen to take advantage of them. However, showing patience and perseverance in trying to fight back difficulties will always payback and help an individual get out of a bad situation. It is also true that unity in a group, in a community, and reciprocal help is the key to the survival of that community.
This situation is demonstrated in the video where the perseverance of the young calf in fighting the lions inspired the rest of the buffalo group.
Works Cited
- Becker, Lawrence, and Charlotte Becker. Encyclopedia of Ethics, Rutledge, New York, 2002. Print.
- Blackburn, Sam. Being good: A short introduction to ethics, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2001. Print.
- Fagothey, Austin, Right and Reason, Tan Books & Publishers, Rockford, IL, 2000. Print.
- Solomon, Right. Morality and the Good Life: An Introduction to Ethics, McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York, 1984. Print.