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Are Some Inequalities more Unequal than Others? Nature, Nurture and Equality

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  • LIPPERT-RASMUSSEN, KASPER

Abstract

Many egalitarians believe that social inequalities are worse than natural ones. Others deny that one can coherently distinguish between them. I argue that although one can separate the influence of these factors by an analysis of variance, the distinction is morally irrelevant. It might be alleged that my argument in favour of moral irrelevance attacks a straw man. While I think this allegation is incorrect, I accommodate it by distinguishing between four claims that are related to, and sometimes confused with, the claim that social inequalities are worse. These are: that one has a stronger reason to eliminate inequalities that obtain between, or are produced by, members of one's own society; that inequalities that result from unfair treatment are worse; that inequalities that we make, rather than merely allowing to exist, are worse; and that it is bad if people are treated unfairly.

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  • Lippert-Rasmussen, Kasper, 2004. "Are Some Inequalities more Unequal than Others? Nature, Nurture and Equality," Utilitas, Cambridge University Press, vol. 16(2), pages 193-219, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:utilit:v:16:y:2004:i:02:p:193-219_00
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    Cited by:

    1. Kasper Lippert-Rasmussen, 2019. "Is it unjust that elderly people suffer from poorer health than young people? Distributive and relational egalitarianism on age-based health inequalities," Politics, Philosophy & Economics, , vol. 18(2), pages 145-164, May.
    2. Andrea Pogliano, 2024. "Born That Way: Beliefs about Genetics’ Importance and Redistribution Preferences," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 24-017/I, Tinbergen Institute.

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