concepts, the reason why they are so challenged, is contested itself. This essay will identify the main factors that contribute in an extent to this result. In doing so, I will reference to the various dimensions and principles that form the core of egalitarianism, emphasizing on the aspects of equality of opportunity and outcome to present a coherent argument: dominant scholars…
Equality of opportunity is the notion that every person is offered the same opportunities in order to be just, even if the there are preexisting inequalities among persons. A person can become a successful doctor, whereas, someone else can become an unfortunate starving artist. As long as everyone goes with the flow of society via abiding by the laws and engaging in fair play, equality of opportunity is present and occurring, despite the obvious contrasting outcomes. Equality of opportunity…
Our educational system has dramatically changed over the centuries. The values and goals that each school, its administrators and teachers are trying to achieve tend to change with each student as there are many outside circumstances that arise. This essay will discuss the different goals that the educational system is trying to meet to ensure that all students, regardless of their race, gender, social background, or religion are provided with the same opportunities to be successful in their…
Equality of opportunity is a political ideal that is mostly opposed to hierarchy. How individuals rank is society is based on a competitive process where all members in society are equal to compete, regardless of their background. According to this idea agents have the opportunities to reach a goal without being set back by any obstacle. An example of a statement of equality of opportunity is “All Irish students should have the chance to get a college degree without the hindrance of racial…
Question 3: In Gerald Cohen’s Why Not Socialism, he discusses three types of equality of opportunity: bourgeois equality of opportunity, left-liberal equality of opportunity, and socialist equality of opportunity. Bourgeois equality of opportunity advocates for removal of, “socially constructed status restrictions, both formal and informal, on life chances” (Cohen, 15). Cohen explains formal and informal restrictions using the examples of serfdom in feudal times and the impact of race on life…
The difference principle ensures that any inequality maximizes the state of everyone 's well being. If those in disadvantageous positions are to be benefited by any inequality, it is because they have acquired more resources than before. Thus, Rawls believes that inequality is justified when resources acquired by the well-off end up in the hands of the least well-off. This in itself is a form of redistribution which Rawls feels is necessary, as it is to the benefit of everyone. Rawls also…
Equality and Fairness: Failed Principles The battle to achieve a sense of fairness and equality has been relevant amongst humans since the beginning of time. Advocates who effortlessly argue the need for an equal socioeconomic system recognize that little to no change has been made throughout time. Philosopher John Rawls’s principles of fairness and equality state that everyone has a right to basic liberties and the greatest social and economic privileges are granted only if the greatest social…
Yes, I Do Work Like a Girl: A Real Issue of Gender Inequality in the Workplace Despite the recent debate over pay equality, the question simply boils down to: do women deserve to make significantly less than men do? Growing up in a educationally disadvantaged community I had always held the view that women didn’t hold management positions, however since enrolled in college my views have significantly changed. Many traditional cultures, including America, teach that men should lead in families,…
the war. Women were treated as if they were the minority. Feminism is reaching the common goal of political, social, cultural and economic equality for women. A feminist wants to reach that equality and address situations that exploit the inequality. An example of an unequal situation…
In John Rawls’ “Theory of Justice”, he speaks of the idea of an original position of equality. In many ways, this position is similar to a nationally mandated level playing field because it treats all students as equal. This also relates back to Peter Singer as he discusses morality. He states “if it is in our power to prevent something bad from happening, without thereby sacrificing anything of comparable moral importance, we ought, morally, to do it” (Singer, 231). These two concepts relate…