Merit is a central pillar of liberal epistemology, humanism, and democracy. The scientific enterprise, built on merit, has proven effective in generating scientific and technological advances, reducing suffering, narrowing social gaps, and improving the quality of life globally. This perspective documents the ongoing attempts to undermine the core principles of liberal epistemology and to replace merit with non-scientific, politically motivated criteria. We explain the philosophical origins of this conflict, document the intrusion of ideology into our scientific institutions, discuss the perils of abandoning merit, and offer an alternative, human-centered approach to address existing social inequalities.
more »
« less
High Energy or Protein Concentrations in Food as Possible Offsets for Cyanide Consumption by Specialized Bamboo Lemurs in Madagascar
- Award ID(s):
- 1656057
- PAR ID:
- 10055823
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- International Journal of Primatology
- Volume:
- 38
- Issue:
- 5
- ISSN:
- 0164-0291
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 881 to 899
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
An official website of the United States government

