Is equality compatible with excellence?

PLEASE NOTE RECENT LOCATION CHANGE & ATTENDANCE FEE!

Please join us this Sunday as we discuss is equality compatible with excellence.
We will meet at the Queensberry Hotel, 593 Swanston Street, Carlton (100m north of previous location) at 2pm for a 2:15pm start sharp.
We kindly ask attendees to pay $5 to attend to help with MeetUp costs & venue costs. This is not mandatory, but if you are a regular member it would be appreciated. Any extra moneys will go towards buying food and drinks for the table. The venue also expects us to spend money as a group, so grateful if you could buy a drink from the venue.
There is no pre-requisite preparation necessary, nor a philosophical background, all that is required is a curious mind. These discussions are both a Socrates Cafe style discussion and lively metaphysical dojo, in the spirit of learning and friendly debate, so please feel free to challenge assumptions and be prepared to have your own assumptions challenged.
Find below some questions to consider, however these are free-ranging events and the below serve as a springboard for the discussion.
- Equality of what - outcome, opportunity, dignity, status, political power?
- Excellence in what - occupation, sport, art, moral character?
- Is excellence inherently hierachical?
- Is it fair that some children get enormous advantages (mostly non-financial)?
- Does meritocracy fairly reward talent, or does it entrench advantage?
- Can democratic equality coexist with technocratic expertise?
- What have philosophers had to say about this topic (Nietzsche, Rawls, Sandel etc)?
- What do the experiences of other countries reveal about this topic?
- Are the solutions different for children and adults or if we are thinking on a 20 year time frame, not this year?
- Can a society maximise equality and excellence at the same time, or must one give way?