Making Sense with Sam Harris #221 — Success, Failure, & the Common Good
Oct 22, 2020
Michael Sandel, a renowned political philosopher from Harvard, chats about the troubling facets of meritocracy. He explores how higher education shapes societal hierarchies, calling it a modern caste system. Sandel critiques the myth of the self-made man, emphasizing that luck plays a crucial role in success. The conversation urges a rethinking of how we value human achievement and addresses the ethics of our tax system. It’s a compelling discussion on fairness, expertise, and the intertwining of wealth and societal worth.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Meritocracy's Perceived Flaw
- The common belief is that the only flaw in meritocracy is its imperfect implementation.
- A truly fair society, however, would still grapple with the implications of rewarding merit.
The Dark Side of Merit
- Meritocracy's dark side emerges when it becomes the dominant philosophy for distributing opportunities.
- Winners in a perfect meritocracy might believe they fully deserve their rewards, overlooking the role of luck.
LeBron James: A Meritocratic Paradox
- LeBron James's basketball success stems from both hard work and inherent talent.
- His success also depends on societal factors like living in a basketball-loving culture.
