In this podcast episode we're talking about meritocracy.

We will explore the multifaceted concept of meritocracy, examining its historical roots, diverse interpretations, and philosophical underpinnings. The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy entry offers a comprehensive academic analysis, tracing the history of meritocratic ideas from ancient Confucianism and Greek philosophy to modern political thought, while also dissecting conceptual issues like the definition of merit and its relation to desert and equal opportunity.

It further investigates meritocratic governance and justice, considering justifications and various objections from different philosophical perspectives. Complementarily, the Wikipedia excerpt provides a broader overview, including the term's etymology, historical manifestations like the Chinese Imperial Examinations, and contemporary criticisms, particularly regarding its practicality and potential to mask existing inequalities, highlighting the ongoing public debate surrounding meritocracy as both an ideal and a societal reality.

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