‘Science graduates complain too much about their salaries. They should be grateful for what they have.’
You’ve probably heard this argument before. On the surface, it sounds like wisdom about gratitude. But does it make sense?
As a lecturer, I’ve heard both sides of the debate. Let me say this clearly: accusing graduates of being ungrateful for voicing concerns about their pay misses the point.
Gratitude vs Criticism: A False Dichotomy
Being grateful for a salary and criticising it for being too low are not contradictory. They can coexist within the same individual.
Here is how you can think about it logically:
- Premise 1: I’m grateful for my current salary.
- Premise 2: This salary doesn’t reflect my educational level or the cost of living.
These two premises can coexist in the same possible world in modal logic.1Modal logic is a branch of logic that explores possibility and necessity: what could be true versus what must be true. See Garson, J. (2024). Modal logic. In E. N. Zalta & U. Nodelman (Eds.), The Stanford encyclopedia of philosophy (Spring 2024 Edition). Stanford University. https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/spr2024/entries/logic-modal/.
Gratitude is an acceptance of current conditions, while criticism expresses a desire for improvement. Each focuses on a different aspect: gratitude reflects appreciation, while criticism addresses adequacy.
Graduates can appreciate their jobs while also advocating for fair compensation. Criticism isn’t a rejection of gratitude; it’s a call for improvement.
The Bigger Conversation
Yes, you can criticise science graduates.
Maybe they should develop new non-science skills, move to another country that values scientists more, or even change career paths.2See What Should You Do After Graduation?
They know they are human and imperfect.
They can take criticism. Being criticised is part of their university training.
But accusing them of being spiritually ungrateful to shut them down is not helpful.
The real conversation is broader: how society values scientific expertise.
Science graduates invest years mastering complex skills. Yet, their earnings often lag behind professions requiring less time or training. Is it fair to dismiss their concerns as whining? Or is it time to question why society undervalues the very skills that drive innovation?
These graduates are not ungrateful—they’re advocating for a fair valuation of their skills.
They deserve conversations that respect both their contributions and opportunities to grow financially.
Notes:
- 1Modal logic is a branch of logic that explores possibility and necessity: what could be true versus what must be true. See Garson, J. (2024). Modal logic. In E. N. Zalta & U. Nodelman (Eds.), The Stanford encyclopedia of philosophy (Spring 2024 Edition). Stanford University. https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/spr2024/entries/logic-modal/.
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