Forms of Equality of Opportunity

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  • Created by: A. Person
  • Created on: 11-04-16 15:03

Types of Equality of Opporunity

Why should we care?

  • Intrinsic appeal - can see it as a moral imperative, issued in virtue of humans' intrinsic properties.
  • Bernard Williams': non-triviality of 'men or men', as alleged lack of universal characteristcis used as justification for discrimination
  • 3 requirements of justice - fundamental attitude to others not influenced by their social position; adoption of human POV; no suppression of consciousness

Type 1. Non Discrimination

  • Negative form - simply states what shouldn't occur
  • Makes certain reasons for preference inadmissible in allocation of good
  • Does not require goods to be allocated on any positive basis
  • Does not account for arbitrary whims etc so doesn't take into account merit.

Type 2. Formal/Careers Open to Talents

  • Goods allocated solely on basis of merit
  • Everyone eligible to compete
  • Problem: how to actually specify which qualities are relevant?
  • Some posts associated with different goals; eg. a terrible football player who draws large crowds
  • Jobs which deal with racist customers? Attractive airline crews?
  • Could stipulate 'most qualified' = hiring will further morally legitimate purposes; but what about a racist firm that just wants to be a profit?
  • Offensive vs non-offensive desires? Eg. vulnerable older woman vs racist customer
  • Problematic cases - wealth in law firm, attractiveness...
  • Problem 2: development of talents. 
  • Williams' example: warrior society, people picked soley on physical

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