An Exploration of Merit and Desert

An Exploration of Merit and Desert
Jeannette Villatoro
GSI0834D
Joseph Scahill
August 30, 2008










An Exploration of Merit and Desert

Merit and desert are two fundamental principles of ethics. The use of these principles has much to do with the workings of our society as well as the good of humanity. I will explore why we value merit and why we should acknowledge the necessity of desert throughout the stages of life.

As defined by Pojman in Merit: Why Do We Value It?, merit can be based on certain factors of one’s self such as “bravery, skill, or nobleness” (Pojman, 1999, pg. 84). Another view, however, that has been adopted by such philosophers such as Kant, “intention has replaced outcome for the decisive criterion for worth” (Pojman, 1999, pg. 84). Desert simply means deserving. How we believe that these two elements fit together is a very important rule. Some believe that our “natural talents” are our merit and that we have desert based on these characteristics (Pojman, 1999, pg. 84). But the more correct view would be that merit is based on one’s objective and that their desert should be in direct result from intention. Though there are obvious opposing views as to what merit and desert are and what they mean, it is easily comprehensible that one of these elements cannot function in totality without the other. It is how they are used in relation to each other that gives us a reasonable interpretation of what they are and how they affect society as a whole.

Merit in itself is only as good as how strongly we value it. That is one of the most important aspects of the theory that merit should garner desert. The belief that merit is based solely on abilities or acquired talents completely destroys the basis for merit and what it is intended to produce. This would pose a “strict meritocracy” that seems unjust and unworthy (Pojman, 1999, pg. 84). Merit is valued based on what one does and how they act in life. I have merit because I care for my children with loving intent. He has merit because he dedicates his time to volunteer in various homeless shelters in the community. She has merit because she never lies and always keeps her word. These distinguished characteristics are what are important where merit is concerned. If people were not bound by their promises nor had any reason not to commit bad acts, we would have a meritless society (Waller, 2008).

Desert is something that is uniquely present in all stages of life. As children we earn rewards for listening to our parents and behaving in a way that is pleasing to others. As adults we gain respect from being honorable and doing what is right. A person will unlikely obtain an important role in this world by merely doing nothing to enhance it. If someone hoping to earn a high paying career does not go out and apply for jobs, they are probably not going to get what they want. If a woman wants to meet a loving man and be married and plan a family, she will most likely not do so by staying in her home all day and avoiding others. The need to have desert in our lives is as strong as the necessity for it. And because this is engraved in our being, we evolve based on the fact that we will earn our way in this life.

Louis Pojman projects a need for the world to adopt a systematic implication that “the virtuous are rewarded and the vicious punished in proportion to their relative deserts” (Pojman, 1999, pg. 100). This proves to be the most practical and successful method in which to live. As a society, we have run civilization in this way. Although there are instances of unfairness or unjust circumstances, the process of being rewarded and punished depending on one’s acts is solely acceptable. And the occasional abuse of this system is a sad reality but is unfortunately the sacrifice for an overall well ruled society. Merit and desert should never be considered without the other if regarded in the correct way as merit being what one’s intentions are and desert being based on the result of those intentions. If one becomes murderous, naturally that person should be apprehended strongly and if not murdered as well, at least taken away from the rest of society as to not harm anyone further. And if one works hard and gains a valuable education, that person should logically obtain a degree and be able to earn a reputable occupation that affords them a comfortable lifestyle that reflects their hard work. Human beings need cause and effect, action and consequence in their life. It seems to be a natural process within our minds; so likewise, society should adopt the same occurrences. We expect to be punished when we do something wrong and we hope for abundant rewards when we accomplish something great.

Clearly, if there was no ends to the mean in regards to our actions, there would be little or no motivation to do anything good and similarly, there would be nothing to hinder us from committing bad deeds. If a person who is starving and has no money knows that robbing the bank has no implications of punishment, it is safe to assume they would likely commit that act. If an employee realizes that if they work hard and remain loyal to the company in which they are employed but will never reap the benefits of higher pay or status, there is hardly any justifiable reason to work beyond the expectations set upon them. The only opposition to this theory is the presence of a strong conscience in which a person is lead exclusively by it. This is an appealing notion but humanity has proven that if rules and laws, both natural and devised, are not in place then havoc ultimately occurs. We can trust our conscience and abide by it as strongly as we’d like, but most of the time it will not be reciprocated by others. The nature of the human being seems to be to appease one’s self in such a way that even if they are to do so in the detriment of others, it shall be done for the sake of progression. Therefore, it is clear that we need something more to govern the acts of others. Our governments have imposed laws and regulations that fit the mold of merit and desert, and it has proven successful for the most part. So it seems that as long as those two elements are truthfully implemented in a decision of justice, than justice shall prevail.

It has been the structure of humanity that we earn our way in this life, and society has historically continued to reflect these principles as well. This concept has the workings of the natural inclination to work hard and achieve what we must in this world, and it has proved to be a key element in the betterment and progression of society. Therefore, Pojman was correct to propose that we should expect to earn a just punishment for wrong doings as well as rewards for good deeds.



References

Pojman, Louis. (1999). Merit: Why Do We Value It? Journal of Social Philosophy 30:83-102

Waller, Bruce N. (2008). Consider Ethics: Theory, Readings, and Contemporary Issues (2nd ed.) New York: Pearson/Longman.