British social commentator Toby Young joins the podcast to discuss the concept of meritocracy and its effects on society, including socioeconomic inequality and inherited wealth. The conversation delves into the potential of genetic redistribution and technology's impact on equality. They also explore the feasibility of utopian socialism and the ethical concerns of altering human nature through genetic interventions.
Meritocracy promotes socio-economic inequality and can lead to a hereditary caste system.
Genetics play a significant role in shaping abilities and challenging meritocracy's fairness.
Considering the potential for genetic alterations, the ethical and societal implications of altering human nature must be carefully evaluated.
Deep dives
Meritocracy and its Criticisms
Meritocracy, a concept popularized by Michael Young, has its fair share of criticisms. Young, in his book 'The Rise of the Meritocracy,' presents a dystopian satire that highlights the downside of a meritocratic society. He believes that meritocracy promotes a utilitarian definition of merit and fosters a meritocratic elite that maintains its privileges through generations, leading to social discontent. Additionally, Young argues that meritocracy legitimizes socio-economic inequalities and prolongs capitalism, a viewpoint aligned with his socialist beliefs. Critics of meritocracy often emphasize that genetic factors, such as IQ, contribute significantly to one's success, challenging the fairness of a system primarily based on merit. They also warn of the potential for a hereditary caste system in mature meritocratic societies. While defenders of meritocracy highlight its potential for equal opportunities and overall societal success, the role of genetics and the sustainability of a fair playing field remain valid concerns for a thorough evaluation of the concept.
The Role of Genetics in Meritocracy
The challenge presented by behavior genetics argues that genetics plays a key role in shaping one's abilities, challenging the notion of meritocracy. While efforts to mitigate disadvantages and promote equal opportunities through meritocratic systems are commendable, behavior genetics highlights that cognitive inequalities linked to genetics significantly contribute to outcome disparities. Moreover, the concern raised by critics is that meritocratic societies tend to produce a self-perpetuating elite due to a higher prevalence of gifted children among the already advantaged. This undermines the ideal of equal opportunities and social mobility. However, the left often refrains from emphasizing genetic influences as it conflicts with the blank slate theory, which forms the basis of some of their philosophical beliefs. While recognizing genetic aspects can raise uncomfortable questions, it is important to consider the unintended consequences and long-term societal impacts before proposing drastic alterations to human nature.
The Proposal of 'Progressive Eugenics'
The proposition of 'progressive eugenics' suggests an alternative approach to addressing the issues arising from a mature meritocratic society. The idea involves making genetic editing technology available, free of charge, to the least well-off 10% of the population. This approach aims to level the genetic playing field and provide children from disadvantaged backgrounds with genetic abilities that enable them to compete for opportunities more effectively. While this proposal faces strong resistance, it endeavors to counterbalance the exacerbating effects of genetic advantages passed down through generations, ultimately contributing to reduced inequality. It is important to note that this proposition emphasizes access to technology rather than the imposition of genetic alterations. However, concerns remain regarding the potential unforeseen consequences and ethical implications associated with altering human nature and the alteration of genes for political reasons.
Dilemmas and Concerns Regarding Altered Human Nature
Changing human nature to align with specific political ideals poses challenges and implications that need careful consideration. It provokes the question of how to determine the desired society if human nature is no longer an inherent constraint. While proponents argue that adopting a cooperative, egalitarian model might be morally superior, critics contend that self-driven competitive instincts and hierarchies often lead to positive outcomes and unintended benefits. Evaluating the consequences of altering humanity and the inherent risks is crucial when contemplating societal transformations. Moreover, the challenge for conservatives lies in addressing the increasing possibilities of altering human nature, as the widely held belief that incompatibility with human nature curtails utopian visions wanes. Consequently, rethinking arguments and developing alternative rationales becomes essential.
Balancing Genetic Alterations and Human Nature
Considering the trajectory of advancements in gene-editing technologies, the potential for private genetic alterations to exacerbate societal inequalities looms large. Wealthy individuals seeking genetic advantages for their offspring may result in the entrenchment of a social elite. However, it is uncertain if efforts can be successfully made to reverse these outcomes as genetic alterations for the pursuit of advantages become ubiquitous. On the other hand, attempting to restrict or control the usage of such technologies amid strong public demand seems challenging. Contending with these ethical and societal dilemmas may require acknowledging the limitations of altering human nature and recognizing the unintended consequences that may arise from potentially radical transformations.
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What kind of society do we create if human nature is no longer a limitation? This captivating question serves as the foundation for our in-depth discussion with British social commentator, Toby Young. We navigate the challenging landscapes of meritocracy, conservatism, and the idea of inherited wealth. Inspired by the perspectives of Toby's father, Michael Young, found in his book 'The Rise of the Meritocracy', we critique the concept, entering a thought-provoking debate on the illusions it creates and its potential to extend the lifeline of capitalism. Our conversation also challenges the notion of entitlement, questions the moral balance of a child's inherited advantage, and scrutinizes the genetic lottery's place in a meritocratic society.
Timestamps:
0:00:00) - Critiquing the Concept of Meritocracy
(0:14:08) - Protecting Liberties and Addressing Socioeconomic Inequality
(0:22:10) - Critiquing Meritocracy and Inherited Wealth
(0:38:12) - Addressing Inequality Through Genetic Redistribution
(0:52:13) - Technology's Impact on Equality and Genetics
(0:59:47) - Debating the Feasibility of Utopian Socialism
(1:06:11) - Human Nature and Genetic Alteration
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