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Connections
Connections

A philosopher challenges the idea that hard-working Americans deserve to be successful

By Evan Dawson,
Megan Mack, Julie Williams
Published February 27, 2025 at 3:42 PM EST
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WXXI News
Carlo Felice on "Connections with Evan Dawson" on Thursday, February 27, 2025
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WXXI News

A philosophy professor at SUNY Geneseo has a rather unusual take on whether honest and hard-working people deserve their success. Carlo Filice says the answer is, "mostly not."

He understands it's controversial, and he's ready to discuss the question of who deserves what, and why. Filice explores this theme in ethics classes, and in a new essay.

So why does he argue against the notion that hard-working people deserve good things? We welcome a pointed philosophical debate about the nature of work and entitlement.

Our guest:

  • Carlo Filice, Ph.D., professor of philosophy at SUNY Geneseo

Connections
Evan Dawson
Evan Dawson is the host of "Connections with Evan Dawson." He joined WXXI in January 2014 after working at 13WHAM-TV, where he served as morning news anchor. He was hired as a reporter for 13WHAM-TV in 2003 before being promoted to anchor in 2007.
See stories by Evan Dawson
Megan Mack
Megan Mack is the executive producer of "Connections with Evan Dawson" and live/televised engagement programming.
See stories by Megan Mack
Julie Williams
Julie Williams is an associate producer for "Connections with Evan Dawson" and is also the office administrator for radio, news and technology and operations. She started at WXXI in 2019 and has been working on Connections since 2022.
See stories by Julie Williams