Lecture Notes: Discussion on Meritocracy and Society

Introduction

Speakers: Agnes Callard and Freddie DeBoer
Topics: Examination of meritocracy's impact on society, education, and individual worth.

Truism: People generally pick the better option in any given choice.
Extension to People: In contexts like jobs or admissions, one might choose the "better" candidate.
Questions Raised:
- Does favoring the "better" serve society at large?
- Societal issues arising from a strict adherence to meritocracy (e.g., inequality, political issues).
- Consideration of a broader definition of "better," focusing on societal flourishing and moral responsibility.

Reward for Merit: The idea that better abilities deserve rewards.
Functional Meritocracy: Choosing the best person for a role without necessarily rewarding them.

Current System's Flaws: Obsession with quantitative academic indicators in selection processes.
Example: Silicon Valley and the lack of social considerations in technology development.
Failed Meritocracy: When selection criteria don't align with the actual qualities needed (e.g., credentials not correlating with skills).

Educational Reforms: Many reforms don't work; the focus should be on making teaching more attractive.
Credentialism: Overemphasis on certain educational paths leads to a lack of respect for trades.
Economic Impact: The collapse of job markets for non-degree holders heightens anxiety, leading to a focus on education as a path to success.

Three levels of critique:
1. Current meritocracy is flawed.
2. True meritocracy is unachievable due to inherent inequalities.
3. Questioning the fundamental principle of rewarding ability over morality or effort.

Conceptual Resistance: Reluctance to rank individuals based on intelligence or ability.
Philosopher Kings: Historical notion that intelligence equates to the right to rule.
Examples: Failures of intelligent administrations in addressing societal issues.

Nature of Competition: Can sometimes improve performance but also leads to stress and uniformity.
Impact on Students: High competition in education leads to emotional sacrifices and a narrow definition of success.

Economic Forces: Drive cultural perceptions of intelligence and worth.
Internet and Creativity: Counters the idea that economic reward is the only motivator.

A-F Grading System: Criticized for being arbitrary; potentially harmful for student development.

Various topics discussed include defining merit, impact of competition, and societal structures in education.

Future of Society without Meritocracy: Vision for a society with less focus on strict academic and economic measures, fostering creativity and compassion.
Overall Message: Challenge the notion that societal worth is determined by academic or economic success.