The second part of Rawls’s second principle is called the difference principle, and it is even more egalitarian than Rawls’s idea of fair equality of opportunity.
The difference principle says that there should be no differences in income and wealth, except those differences that make even the least advantaged members of society better off. Not even superior effort makes a person deserving of special rewards. After all, argues Rawls, your ability to make a good effort is partly dependent on how good your childhood was, whether your parents loved you and provided encouragement, or whether you were neglected and abandoned. All of these are factors over which you had no control. Therefore, if you are now ableto make a good effort, you can’t really claim credit for it. Do you agree?
Is it true that you can’t really claim credit for your upbringing? Surely, your habits and temperaments today are partly the result of your upbringing. Does this mean that you don’t really deserve what you get from making an effort?
Think of some of the advantages that you have in your life. Do you deserve them more than other people who lack them? If so, why? If not, should these advantages be provided to everyone?
Do you think it’s unjust if some people are much worse off than others merely because they were born with fewer talents or with a debilitating disease and the need for expensive medicines? Why should people be worse off merely because of the way they were born?
Wow - much to think about here. I think the "no differences" philosophy would occur naturally in a bartering community, where each negotiation is settled based upon one person's perceived value of what goods or services are exchanged. My father made house calls to patients who spoke English poorly and for whom cash for health care was pretty rare. He exchanged his skills and medicines for cooking lessons. In human groups that have a "primitive" lifestyle, this is also possible, because each person is valued for his role in helping to keep the group alive - no single talent is more worthy than another. In a capitalistic society, I do not agree that differences could or should be leveled. Children reared in stressful, alcoholic, abusive homes can become stable, productive, contributing members of society, just as those reared in silver-spoon homes can become impoverished criminals. The phrase "good effort" is significant. I really don't want to hear about people born into extreme wealth who value nothing that money can't buy. I can hear myself saying, "he doesn't deserve all of that money." But, then again, I would not want to be that kind of person, money or not! What I think people "deserve" is a chance to alter their situation - not to have it altered for them.
ReplyDeleteThis question is truly tough. What worries me mostly is not so much that the advantaged have a duty to share the fruits of their advantages, but the effect of the redistribution on the receivers. Children who are given too much by their parents can come to feel they are entitled to have all their needs taken care of. I have seen too many college students who have all of their bills paid for and do not value the education being given them. I have this sense that something is valued most often when their is a price to be paid for it. that does not mean that the price should be the same for everyone or that the price is necessarily monetary. But I think it is in human nature to value what must be worked for and if too much is given, very little value is placed on it. I also think it degrades any person to constantly be on the receiving end.
ReplyDeleteI do see the point of Rawl's difference principle. I have little quarrel with the philosophy that we all have a duty to care for each other. But those with less or nearly nothing must see a value in earning is some way what they receive.
I agree with what Bobbie said in that kids who are given too much will feel that they are entitled to everything they want. We are seeing more and more of this in society today. When there is a price to pay for things then it does seem that they are more valued. Plus you feel better about yourself in having done it on your own. Also I have made my own breaks and advantages along the way and so I feel that I do deserve more than people who put no effort into anything. To me it makes no difference in how you were born or raised, you can find the good role models out there if you want and pick yourself up by the boot straps and stay on the straight and narrow path. I don't like it when people use the excuse that this is their lot in life and there is nothing they can do about it. Also there should be differences in income and wealth. I chose to get a good education so that I could get a good job so that I could afford to raise my family, if you choose not to then what gives you the right to say that you are entitled to what I have. You must work for it, unfortunately too many kids today don't have the guts or fortitude to work for things, and you can't really blame them because it is the parents who are lacking in parental skills. And yes we do have a duty to care for each other, but that isn't the same as me giving you everything I have.
ReplyDeleteI keep thinking of the phrase "we are our brother's keeper," and to a certain extent we are. We must be aware of those around who need help and give to others in times of need. We must have caring for other human beings. Helping others out, however, has limits. People who are capable of working should expect to work. One should also not give beyond one's means or to the detriment of one's family.
ReplyDeleteTrue, good effort is partially dependent on what our upbringing was like and what genetics we have, so we must give credit to parents and other environment. I think people who put forth superior effort deserve some reward for their effort; at the same time those who put forth no effort do not deserve reward. If a person is capable of working, I firmly believe it is fair to expect effort and work from that person. We should not reward laziness. We, however, need to be empathetic to those who are worse off because of the way they were born.
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