> If it were indeed the case the everyone had an equal access to learning and if knowledge and wisdom could be reliably demonstrated, then perhaps meritocracy

> If it were indeed the case the everyone had an equal access to learning and if knowledge and wisdom could be reliably demonstrated, then perhaps meritocracy would make sense and likely would further genuine equality more than a minimum amount. This is a fairly narrow interpretation of merit. It is not simply the acquisition and demonstration of knowledge and wisdom. There are many other facets such as being a hard worker, being honest, being reliable, being a good teammate, and so on. Many of these attributes would be more accurately described as comprising your character. I don’t think anybody expects meritocratic processes to produce a reasonably egalitarian society either. Some people are going to be dealt a poor hand at birth. Some will be born profoundly dumb. Some people will just be lazy and useless. To me this is the best argument for why charity and welfare must exist in within a truly free and/or meritocratic society.