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Equality of opportunity and equality of means are the same thing. Everyone tries to make the best of their opportunities. Some just don't have the ability to do
by anoncake 5y ago
Equality of opportunity and equality of means are the same thing. Everyone tries to make the best of their opportunities. Some just don't have the ability to do so, which is also a kind of opportunity.
- md_ 5y agoI think by the most deterministic view of human behavior everything boils down to inequalities of opportunity, but that may be a little reductive. I was looking at this more in the Rawlsian sense of “everyone should have the same chances, such that if they had the same ability they could achieve the same thing.” I don’t think I (or most “meritocratic” societies) believe that social equalizers should completely eradicate differences in outcome that arise from innate differences in ability—but perhaps those differences should be somewhat reduced. Concretely: if the same person were born rich or poor, they should be able to achieve mostly the same things. But if the same person were born stupid (or lazy) or smart, it’s probably ok if there is some resultant difference in outcomes, as long as all outcomes support basic dignity and needs, right?