What’s wrong with Inequality?

Checking Comprehension (1)

According to Anderson, “equality” is a term confused to “same treatment” by many in the society. There are many legitimate reasons why at times people are treated differently from others. However, differential treatment of people based on gender, age, or race is unjust as it profiles people to be either superior or inferior to others (Gutting, & Anderson, 2015). Anderson views “equality” as placing everyone’s interest at heart when tackling societal problems or issues. 

Checking Comprehension (2)

Anderson expresses disapproval on the argument that imposing higher taxes to people with more income and lower taxes to people with low income symbolizes inequality and affects freedom. Anderson argues that differential treatment in taxation policies strive to ensure that equality and freedom across all social positions are enhanced as it promotes equal opportunity to wealth spread and distribution (Gutting, & Anderson, 2015).

Identifying Gaps in Understanding

It is confusing to understand the concept of equality and capitalism. I feel that the idea of equality somehow undermines capitalism. Capitalism ensures that people get compensated regarding the amount of effort they place on their jobs or work. I feel that imposing higher taxes on hardworking individuals with higher incomes negatively impacts on their motivation to accumulate more wealth. People may decide to be economically lazy.

Identifying Connections

Morality is primarily concerned about what is right or wrong for an individual. Philosophical concepts, on the other hand, are concerned about having organizational structures of groups of people that will bring peace and harmony in the society. Anderson integrates the concepts of morality and politics to explain the difference between just and unjust inequality and how they influence and affect people relationships.

Describing the Thesis

The main point revolves around the issue of preferential treatment accorded to different people in society based on social status. Such biased treatment can lead to the oppression of people from lower social positions.

Evaluating the Thesis

I agree with Anderson when she says that critical issues for equality are depended upon the range of available social opportunities. Anderson is right because available social opportunities affect the choices people make in life. For example, laws guiding against employment discrimination ensure that every person has the opportunity to receive fair pay for every job done. Such laws will, therefore, prevent extreme wealth inequality (Gutting, & Anderson, 2015).

Next Steps

Some of the questions I would like to answer are; a) what motivates individuals to subject others to social, economic, and political inequalities? b) Why is inequality still a problem despite the social and political measures put in place to solve it?

References

Gutting, G., & Anderson, E. (2015). Reading response: What’s wrong with Inequality? Retrieved from: https://laurenralpert.files.wordpress.com/2018/08/gutting-Anderson-what's-wrong-with-inequality1.pdf