Zhuangzi's Critique of Meritocracy

An essay on Aeon argues that meritocracy is a flawed concept, drawing on the ancient Chinese philosopher Zhuangzi. Zhuangzi contends that even in idealized scenarios where values are straightforward, the belief that hierarchies and institutions can accurately reflect a moral order misunderstands how power operates. The piece explores how meritocratic systems often perpetuate inequality rather than reward true talent or virtue.