You make a very interesting point Jazz Hands...."For heaven's sake, don't you think every other profession on the planet hasn't had to deal with exactly the same stuff? What makes aviation think it has some God-given exemption?"
.......well there aren't many other professions on this planet where in the blink of eye hundreds of lives can be lost or saved (AF447 or US Airways Flight 1549) by the actions and split second decisions of two people!!
Oh and yes you are right it is called 'life', that's each and every single one that is lost or saved by the ability of those who enter the flight deck and close the door behind them, not the "bean counters" you refer to.