Merit: Why Do We Value It

MERIT: WHY DO WE VALUE IT?

Merit: Why do we value it?

Philosophy of Human Conduct

December 6, 2010

MERIT: WHY DO WE VALUE IT?

Merit: Why do we value it?

Louis Pojman's, "Merit: Why do we value it?" This opinion can be well argued on the principle of fittingness alone. I will give my thoughts and opinions as to whether or not I agree with Louis Pojman's essay and why I agree or disagree. I have been taught that if I am a good person; I will be reward in life somehow and if I am a bad person I will have to suffer the consequences of my crime.

MERIT: WHY DO WE VALUE IT?

Merit: Why do we value it?

Louis Pojman states that we need to make our world one that is where "the virtuous are rewarded and the vicious punished in proportion to their relative deserts." I agree with this statement in that the good should be rewarded and the bad needs to be punished to an extent that fits the crime. Even though I feel that virtue should be rewarded and vice punished however, is it as simple as Pojman makes it?

Pojman states that, "Our sense of merit, especially regarding desert, seems to cry out for an omniscient and omnipotent Judge to match virtue with happiness and vice with punishment". If we are in need of an all knowing all powerful person to give out reward and punishment; how can we possibly offer judgment ourselves? Pojman suggests "we have a deep intuitive sense, which the principle of fittingness signifies, that virtue should be rewarded and vice punished." I absolutely agree with Pojman's thoughts of reward and punishment however, Pojman says that the decision of right and wrong will be determined by our intuitions.

Pojman also goes on to say that it is a truth that is, "obvious on reflection". Pojman makes it seem like we are able to know the truth even at birth. How can we have intuition at birth? I thought that intuition develops in a person with time. With that said, can I say that my eight year old with the same mindset will have the same reaction to a situation as I would? I do not think so; due to she has not developed any experience or the learning skills like I have. I look at my girls whom are 8 and 12 and they do act in a selfish way at times however, I do not feel that they fully understand the importance of kindness and compassion, because these are learned values in life as we get older. Another question I have is; are we who we are because that is how we are brought up to be or are we born that way?

MERIT: WHY DO WE VALUE IT?

Merit: