Desert (philosophy)

The merit of a person is granted, whose deeds or action is attributed to them of their duties, a particular value in a moral sense, especially if they have been rendered without regard to the consequences for personal fate in good faith. To acquire merit is also used in the sense of doing something good about the recognized standard addition. (see supererogatory )

Emphasizes the voluntariness is on both sides: the belohnenswerte fact can be just as rewarding not demand what is singled out for praise. This has to do with the old European ideas of favor or grace.

Immanuel Kant distinguished the "sour " merit and the " sweet " merit. The latter gladden the Meritorious through his actions themselves ( cf. satisfaction ), the salary of the former was the ingratitude.

A German proverb says: The merits of his crown. In the terms " Order of Merit " and especially "Pour le Mérite ", the word appears directly. In use, the solemn formula: you [ He ] has rendered outstanding services to something.