Merit: a controversial and rejected idea

Titolo Rivista SOCIOLOGIA E RICERCA SOCIALE
Autori/Curatori Alberto Baldissera
Anno di pubblicazione 2026 Fascicolo 2025/138
Lingua Inglese Numero pagine 28 P. 5-32 Dimensione file 264 KB
DOI 10.3280/SR2025-138001
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The idea of merit eludes a firm and precise definition. The concept varies across social groups, cultural, religious and national contexts, and historical periods. Any definition of merit involves an element of evaluation. Even some relevant conse-quences. For example, on the order of social statuses. This paper examines varia-tions in the meaning, and utilisation, of the term in different cultural and religious contexts – from India to China and many Western countries. In conclusion, a debate on value judgments cannot be resolved scientifically. The social sciences can instead shed light on the consequences of different value orientations and the practices associated with them.

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Alberto Baldissera, Merit: a controversial and rejected idea in "SOCIOLOGIA E RICERCA SOCIALE " 138/2025, pp 5-32, DOI: 10.3280/SR2025-138001