What is Fair?

The definition(s) of fair according to Merriam Webster Dictionary (online).

     note: A few definitions were not included due to course content and relevancy to subject matter.

Fair (adj.):

     1. Agreeing with what is thought to be right or acceptable

     2. Treating people in a way that does not favor some over others

     3. Not too harsh or critical

  Full Definition:

     1. Pleasing to the eye or mind especially because of fresh, charming, or flawless quality.

     2. Superficially pleasing: specious "she trusted his fair promises"

     3. Not stormy or foul

     4. Ample "a fair estate"

     5. Marked by impartiality and honesty: free from self-interest, prejudice or favoritism "a very fair person            to do business with"

     6. Conforming with the established rules" allowed

     7. Open to legitimate pursuit, attack or ridicule "fair game"

     8.  Promising, likely

     9. Sufficient but not ample: adequate "a fair understanding of the work"

     10. Moderately numerous, large, or significant "takes a fair amount of time"

     11. Being such to the utmost: utter "a fair treat to watch him"

After being asked in class on Tuesday what "fair" means to me, I honestly didn't know. I thought of things that I thought were fair, what constitutes something as fair, or how our society and the world define it. Even after all of that, and the class discussion, I'm still not sure how to answer these questions.

I began trying to look for answers, and thus searched what the definition of fair is. According to Merriam Webster's dictionary, there are a multitude of answers. Our language uses the word fair in a variety of contexts in which it all means something different. It is such a relative and subjective word, that it becomes difficult to define.

On the topic of unfairness and how it relates to society - specifically water availability and sanitation - I want to analyze how these definitions do (or don't) relate to this topic, and others in our world like it. Due to this topic being so controversial, I have found it difficult to even formulate my own opinion, one that I can stick by and have no mental hardship with. By simply focusing on the first three definitions, they are all still subjective and open to interpretation. However, I feel that these best define what fair is in the most open and broad sense, but still clearly defining it. 

Is it right that not everyone has access to clean water and sanitation? 

  No, as defined by article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948, "Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care an necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control." As water is a necessity for life, and clean water and sanitation for a healthy life, these are things that should be granted to every individual.

Does availability of clean water and sanitation favor some over others? 

   Yes, unfortunately, although those in first and second world countries have access to water and plumbing, those whom live in third world countries do not. It is not fair  that these people do not have access to it based on location. The location also often has various other factors such as socioeconomic implications. Should those who are fortunate enough to live in those areas help those who are less fortunate? One must always remember when considering problems of this sort, that ones location is often not something they control. I did not choose to be born in the U.S., but rather that is outside of my control.

Is it harsh that some people have access to clean water and sanitation? 

   Yes, in the meaning that harsh is cruel and unfair. This also relates back up to what I have said above.

When considering these questions, I always seem to go back to putting things on a level playing field. One deserves what they work for, that I do believe. The guy who does less work than I does not deserve the promotion. However, what constitutes if one deserves clean water or sanitation - necessities to life? That I'll leave up to you.

"Fair." Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 5 Feb. 2014. <http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fair>.