Question

what can you conclude about the nature of race as it plays out in the world of sports? Is the sports world the one true “merit” system in US society?

Answer 1

Note: This response is in UK English, please paste the response to MS Word and you should be able to spot discrepancies easily.

(Answer) A typical race has always been the best allegory for the term “survival of the fittest.” Even in evolutionary terms, “survival of the fittest” is more about adapting to change than actually being strongest. However, in a race, the fastest (fittest) is actually the winner. The winner of the race is truly the one who is meritorious.

However, the true merit system is applicable to many fields and not just racing or sports. The merit system becomes easy to spot in sports as it is a direct system where the best athlete gets a reward. Let us take the medical field for instance. The best doctor is not only the one with highest grades in medical school but, also the one with the most experience in medical practice.

It would be premature to assume without thorough analysis, that all systems in the US society are not based on merit. What can be made clear is how merit is defined in each field. A marathon runner needs great stamina, a sprint runner needs good speed, a lawyer and doctor needs good education and experience in practice. Each individual gains merit in a different way. Before assuming that any field or society is merit-based or not, it is important to define the parameters of merit for that particular society or field.