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Books

Why Does Inequality Matter? by T.M. Scanlon

Peter Stone gives good reasons why inequality is bad.

Equality matters – but only sometimes. Failure to recognize this qualification can generate some bizarre conclusions. Consider, for example, the fact that men in the United States currently enjoy double the life-expectancy of men in Malawi. Surely an inequality of this magnitude cries out to be remedied? But is the inequality itself the problem? If that were the case, then the situation could be at least partially improved by decreasing male life expectancy in the US. This illustrates the so-called leveling down objection to egalitarian ideals, which dogs the efforts of many political philosophers to construct a theory of equality.

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