The 2022-2023 Altman Program: Contesting Authority

In the episode recorded by Joey Puckett and Alex Massa, the discussion was centered around academic authority, credentialism, and the concept of merit. Michael Sandel’s The Tyranny of Merit is used as a catalyst for this conversation as they address the shortcomings of his book in relation to these topics. Specifically, they investigate whether or not Sandel offers an actionable solution to the meritocratic system that he critiques – the two of them arrive at different conclusions on this point. Finally, they talk about credentialism in relation to truth, i.e., whether or not the authority of experts will be seen as legitimate in the future. Throughout this discussion they cover topics such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the increased relevance of populism in the West. Overall, they aim to provide insights on the nature of social hierarchy and changing notions of authority present at each rung. 

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