Equality

Question 1

What are the arguments in regards to equality of what? (For, Objections, Alternative)

Answer 1

• Rawls
• Objections
• Sen

Question 2

What is your line of argument in regards to equality of what? (Two points)

Answer 2

• Rawls’ theory is flawed as it does not account for natural primary good and does not distinguish between bad luck and choice.
• Sen provides a comprehensive theory of equality which is intuitive. If we manage to find a way to measure capabilities then it would be extremely convincing.

Question 3

What is Rawls’ argument in regards to equality of what? (Three points)

Answer 3

• He argues for an equality of resources.
• That we should all have an intial expectation of an equal set of primary goods.
• Alongside the principle of justice, any other inequalities are justified.

Question 4

What does Rawls focus on in his theory of resources rather than pure equality?

Answer 4

He focusses on how when inequalities are justified.

Question 5

What are Rawls’ primary goods?

Answer 5

These are things such as income, wealth, education, healthcare, and rights.

Question 6

What are the two aspects of Rawls’ principle of justice?

Answer 6

1. All offices and positions are open to all.
2. Offer the most advantage to those most disadvantaged.

Question 7

What is the name of the second point in Rawls’ principle of justice?

Answer 7

The difference principle.

Question 8

What does the difference principle entail?

Answer 8

It ensures that any benefit gained within society is most advantagous to those most disadvantaged.

Question 9

When are inequalities justified according to Rawls?

Answer 9

When everyone has an equal initial set of primary goods and the justice principle is satisfied.

Question 10

What does Rawls say about our entitlements to the products of our labour and why? (Two points)

Answer 10

• He states that we do not have full entitlement to the products of our labour.
• This is because we produce things cooperatively.

Question 11

What impact does Rawls’ opinion on our entitlement to the products of our labour have? (Two points)

Answer 11

• It means that any benefit we gain from our labour is reciprocity.
• It undermines what we deserve.

Question 12

What are the objections to Rawls’ equality of resources? (Two points)

Answer 12

• He does not count natural primary goods, such as someone being disabled, as counting towards being worse-off.
• It does not distinguish those that are worse-off due to luck or choice.

Question 13

What does Sen say about Rawls’ index of primary goods?

Answer 13

It would work if we were all very similar, but we aren’t.

Question 14

What does Sen argue for?

Answer 14

Equality of basic capabilities

Question 15

Explain Sen’s equality of basic capabilities. (Two points)

Answer 15

• We should all be entitled to an intial set of basic capabilities.
• He states that when we talk about equalities, what we care about is capabilities.

Question 16

What are basic capabilities?

Answer 16

Things that a person should be able to do.

Question 17

What is the main criticism by Sen against Rawls’ primary goods and consequentialist utility?

Answer 17

They think that we care about material things or a mental reaction, respectively, when considering equality.

Question 18

What must we do in order to equalise capabilities?

Answer 18

Provide with differing levels of things according to their individual situation.

Question 19

What are the three benefits of Sen’s equality of capabilities?

Answer 19

• It accounts to what we intuitively think of when considering equality.
• Accounts for disabled people.
• Accounts for people with expensive tastes.

Question 20

What is an issue with Sen’s equality of capabilities?

Answer 20

How do we measure capabilities?

Question 21

What are the arguments in regards to whether redistribution is unjust / we own the fruits of our labour? (For, Against, Alternative)

Answer 21

• Nozick
• Cohen
• Left libertarianism

Question 22

What is your line of argument in regards to whether redistribution is unjust / we own the fruits of our labour? (Two points)

Answer 22

• Whilst Nozick’s argument is more compelling than Cohen’s, it still struggles as it completely disregards inequality and leads to more unfreedom.
• Therefore, we should strive for a middle ground such as that of the left libertarian.

Question 23

What is Nozick’s libertarianism? (Three points)

Answer 23

• Rests on an assumption of self-ownership.
• From that he claims that justice is about entitlement.
• Claims that redistribution is a form of slavery as it unjustly takes entitlements and violates people’s right to the fruits of their labour.

Question 24

What is Nozick’s argument for self-ownership?

Answer 24

He argues that if we do not have self-ownership then we could be prone to exploitation.

Question 25

What could no self-ownership lead to? (Two points)

Answer 25

- The eye lottery scenario. - Slavery

Question 26

How does Nozick's self-ownership connect to the rights of the fruits of our labour? (Two points)

Answer 26

- As we own ourselves, we own our labour. - We can sell our labour or sell the product of our labour.

Question 27

What determines whether we own the fruits of labour according to Nozick?

Answer 27

Self-ownership and owning the raw materials used.

Question 28

What is Nozick's theory of entitlement?

Answer 28

We are entitled to something if the distribution of that something was just.

Question 29

How can we categorise Nozick's theory of justice of distribution?

Answer 29

As a historical one: justice is considering how people came to have what they have.

Question 30

What are the three principles that determine whether someone's entitlement is just according to Nozick?

Answer 30

- Initial acquisition of resources - Transfer of resources - Rectification of injustice

Question 31

Explain Nozick's initial acquisition of resources principle.

Answer 31

Someone is justified in acquiring resources as long as others' net utility is not worsened.

Question 32

Explain Nozick's transfer of resources principle.

Answer 32

The transfer of resources to be done voluntarily.

Question 33

Explain Nozick's rectification of injustice principle.

Answer 33

If any holding are deemed unjust then there is compensation.

Question 34

Are there any limits to Nozick's theory of entitlement and why?

Answer 34

No limit as it would infringe on individual liberty.

Question 35

How does Nozick's theory of entitlement relate to redistribution being unjust?

Answer 35

As we own the fruits of labour and our holdings (if just) then being coerced into giving it away is a form of slavery.

Question 36

What is Nozick's issue with egalitarianism?

Answer 36

It sacrifices too much of our liberty.

Question 37

What are the benefits of Nozick's overall theory? (Two points)

Answer 37

- They are at first intuitive, especially in the capitalistic world we live in. - Stops absurd scenarios such as the eye lottery from occurring.

Question 38

What are Cohen's objections to Nozick? (Two points)

Answer 38

- Self-ownership leads to undesirable results. - The inequality of Nozick leads to more unfreedom.

Question 39

What is another objection to Nozick's theory of self-ownership other than unfreedoms?

Answer 39

Self-ownership can be refuted.

Question 40

How can self-ownership be refuted?

Answer 40

If we all own the fruits of our labour, then mothers own their babies.

Question 41

How does self-ownership lead to undesirable results according to Cohen?

Answer 41

It allows for high levels of inequality as people can exploit others for simply owning more.

Question 42

How does Nozick's theory lead to more unfreedom according to Cohen?

Answer 42

Due to the vast inequalities, there will be a small amount of people that have lots of liberty but a vast amount of people that cannot due to their lack of funds.

Question 43

What is the main issue with Cohen's objections?

Answer 43

He seems to disregard self-ownership entirely, which would still allow for the eye lottery scenario which is arguably worse than the inequalities of Nozick.

Question 44

What does the left libertarian argue? (Two points)

Answer 44

- That we can have both self-ownership and redistribution. - This could be done by sharing equally the initial acquisition of natural resources.

Question 45

What benefit does the left libertarian argument have?

Answer 45

It keeps self-ownership that we find intuitive whilst also limiting inequalities.

Question 46

What is an additional condition we could add to left libertarianism?

Answer 46

Perhaps set a limit on how many resources one could have and redistributing that.