Inequality Reexamined Summary

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The claims of equality in social arrangements are tested in Inequality Reexamined. Amartya Sen begins by identifying a common characteristic of virtually all the contemporary moral approaches to social arrangement. The basic issue that divides the different approaches is not ‘whether equality’ but ‘equality of what’? Amartya Sen studies thoroughly what equality and inequality are in different circumstances. Will a commitment to equality hide human differences? Let us consider some dimensions on which equality may seem appealing such as rights, resources, achievements, and happiness. And consider some of the facts of human diversity such as people differ in social circumstances, abilities and skills and preferences, and values. Diversity seems to cause problems for equality. The motive is differences along the latter dimensions do not include simultaneous equalization. Different skills and the differences of reward they command allude that equal rights will probably change into unequal material resources; differences of preference and value suggest that equal material resources will translate into unequal proportional achievements. A blanket cling of equality, then, leads blindness to diversity. …show more content…

Amartya Sen's Inequality Reexamined rejects both, arguing rather that individuals should face just as equally desirable life prospects-equal capability for working, to utilize his official terminology. Given the differing qualities of abilities, similarly attractive life prospects will oblige unequal means; given contrasts in what individuals make of their prospects, it will yield unequal results. Anyway, as indicated by Sen, it guarantees equality of effective freedom to accomplish

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