The paper reflects on two of the main weaknesses of meritocratic doctrines. Firstly, considering John Rawls, a recent speech by the Pope and a recent book by a United States economist about the role of luck in life and particularly in economic processes, the paper underlines that meritocracy minimizes the role of natural and social lottery. As a consequence the lucky, believing to be simply talented and hardworking, are quite reluctant to share their success improving the economic, social, cultural environment where the unlucky live and work. Secondly, the paper remarks that the Italian Constitution, as documented by the preliminary works as well, is written for the last, the unlucky, the needy. Of course it does not neglect the merit, but, at the same time, it keeps away from the concern to establish a domination of the merit beyond few and delimited sheres.
Contro la pretesa meritocratica di "lasciarsi dietro i meno fortunati"
Mauro, E.
2018-01-01
Abstract
The paper reflects on two of the main weaknesses of meritocratic doctrines. Firstly, considering John Rawls, a recent speech by the Pope and a recent book by a United States economist about the role of luck in life and particularly in economic processes, the paper underlines that meritocracy minimizes the role of natural and social lottery. As a consequence the lucky, believing to be simply talented and hardworking, are quite reluctant to share their success improving the economic, social, cultural environment where the unlucky live and work. Secondly, the paper remarks that the Italian Constitution, as documented by the preliminary works as well, is written for the last, the unlucky, the needy. Of course it does not neglect the merit, but, at the same time, it keeps away from the concern to establish a domination of the merit beyond few and delimited sheres.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
