Single Idea 23106

[catalogued under 25. Social Practice / B. Equalities / 1. Grounds of equality]

Full Idea

Redistribution ought to aim to equalise the life expectancy of men and women, by making men have longer and women shorter lives.

Gist of Idea

To rectify the undeserved equality, we should give men longer and women shorter lives

Source

John Kekes (Against Liberalism [1997], 05.4)

Book Reference

Kekes,John: 'Against Liberalism' [Cornell 1997], p.102


A Reaction

This is a nice satirical counterexample to the Rawlsian claim that 'undeserved inequalities should somehow be compensated for' [Rawls 1971: 100]. See also Kurt Vonnegut's story 'Harrison Bergeron'.