Talk:Equality of opportunity versus equality of results

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A raffle is not proportional to equality of opportunity, the cake would be awarded by a system of merit idealy, not chance

"Equality of opportunity and outcome are themselves somewhat open to interpretation -- equality of opportunity is sometimes derided with the joke that "X is a free country, in which every man, rich or poor, has the right to buy an elephant". Obviously, the poor man cannot exercise this so-called "right". Similarly, in the cake example, above, one could argue whether an equal-sized slice is the "outcome" or whether those who are hungrier should get larger slices, so that in the end everyone is equally sated."

This article is largely swayed towards equality of results. In this example the author mocks equality of opportunity, and then in an attempt to question equality of results the author questions wether the system should not sway further against a system of merit, redistributing the already unearned cake to those who have done the least, assuming that they are poor because they have not been rewarded on a system of merit, to earn it.


I think this article has different problems. It should state that when there are economical differences, social difference, class differences, etc., equality of opportunities (at least in the opinion of lots of people) doesn't exist. A poor person doesn't have the same opportunitues as someone born in a rich family, with huge hereditary fortunes.