Second-Order Equality and Levelling Down
Australasian Journal of Philosophy, Vol. 87, No. 3, pp. 425-443, 2009
20 Pages Posted: 21 Mar 2012
Date Written: 2009
Abstract
Many think that equality is an intrinsic value. However, this view, especially when based on a consequential foundation, faces familiar objections related to the claim that equality is sometimes good for none and bad for some: most notably the levelling down objection. This article explores a unique (consequential) conception of equality, as part of a more general conception of fairness concerning the resolution of interpersonal conflicts, which is not exposed to these objections.
Keywords: Equality, Priority, Intrinsic, Instrumental, Leveling Down, Conflicts
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