Talk:Desert (disambiguation)

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Note that in linking to an article which doesn't exist yet for the concept of "deservedness", I'm not quite sure whether it would be best labelled as desert (philosophy), desert (ethics), or desert (morality). I was trying to find out more about the concept, which is what led me here in the first place, so I don't know better yet. If any philosophy types do know, feel free to change it to one of the other two, of course. --John Owens | (talk) 03:14, 25 February 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Since the concept of "desert" is important in both ethics and politicial philosophy, I would have to put my vote in for desert (philosophy) unless anyone knows of a different philosophical usage of the term that might make this confusing. Then again, the fact that the concept of "desert" is used in political science and law, in addition to philosophy, may complicate matters...

Postmodern Beatnik 19:47, 25 February 2007 (UTC)[reply]

I'm of the opinion that it shouldn't be in the disambig page until it's got an article. I can't tell from the descriptor that's there if it is an 'official' concept in academic philosophy or a spin-off of the phrase 'just desserts' (which would go in dessert anyway). WLU 12:22, 26 February 2007 (UTC)[reply]

It's an "official" concept. "Desert" in philosophy can be negative or positive and is a cognate of the word "deserve." Moreover, it is used in ethics and political philosophy to discuss what the proper rewards and punishments are for both meritorious and deleterious actions. It plays a role in theories of punishment, but also in political systems like that of Rawls to determine who gets what in terms of resources. Also, "just desserts" is actually a misspelling of "just deserts."

As for the issue of disambiguation pages, I've seen plenty of red links on them before. Regardless, this matter is at the top of the WikiProject Philosophy task list, so there will be an article soon enough (one hopes). I myself might at least create a stub today.

Postmodern Beatnik 15:59, 26 February 2007 (UTC)[reply]