Instructions
Write 3 pages about this (Is the unequal distribution of wealth unethical?) about this with 10 or more slides (presented in class)
Justice is the ethical principle that relates to fair,
equitable, and appropriate treatment in light of
what is due or owed to persons, recognizing
that giving things to some will deny receipt to
others who might otherwise have received
those things. Within the context of health care
ethics, the most relevant application of the
principle focuses on distribution of goods and
services. This application is called distributive
justice.
what is due or owed to persons, recognizing
that giving things to some will deny receipt to
others who might otherwise have received
those things. Within the context of health care
ethics, the most relevant application of the
principle focuses on distribution of goods and
services. This application is called distributive
justice.
Distributive Justice
It has to do with how goods are allocated
among persons
◦ Example: who and how many people have what
percentage of goods or wealth in a society
◦ 5% owns 90% of wealth
It has to do with how goods are allocated
among persons
◦ Example: who and how many people have what
percentage of goods or wealth in a society
◦ 5% owns 90% of wealth
A New Kind of Mega-Grant Announced to
Connecticut Public Schools (April 8, 2019)
Billionaire hedge fund couple Ray and Barbara Dalio,
announced a $100 million pledge to Connecticut’s
poorest public schools. Intended to be used by schools
in areas of the state which are lower income and where
the schools are struggling to make ends meet
Connecticut Public Schools (April 8, 2019)
Billionaire hedge fund couple Ray and Barbara Dalio,
announced a $100 million pledge to Connecticut’s
poorest public schools. Intended to be used by schools
in areas of the state which are lower income and where
the schools are struggling to make ends meet
Think About It
Equal Opportunity, Our National Myth
◦ President Obama’s second Inaugural Address used
soaring language to reaffirm America’s commitment
to the dream of equality of opportunity: “We are true
to our creed when a little girl born into the bleakest
poverty knows that she has the same chance to
succeed as anybody else, because she is an American;
she is free, and she is equal, not just in the eyes of
God but also in our own.”
Equal Opportunity, Our National Myth
◦ President Obama’s second Inaugural Address used
soaring language to reaffirm America’s commitment
to the dream of equality of opportunity: “We are true
to our creed when a little girl born into the bleakest
poverty knows that she has the same chance to
succeed as anybody else, because she is an American;
she is free, and she is equal, not just in the eyes of
God but also in our own.”
The gap between aspiration and reality could hardly be wider.
Today, the United States has less equality of opportunity than
almost any other advanced industrial country
Is American still known as “the land of opportunity”?
Today, the United States has less equality of opportunity than
almost any other advanced industrial country
Is American still known as “the land of opportunity”?
Equal Opportunity
Equal Opportunity
◦ An opportunity is a chance to attain some benefits or
goods (meritocracy)
◦ Equality of opportunity to attain it should be – equal
rewards for equal performance in term of education,
employment, income, wealth
Economic mobility versus social mobility
Equal Opportunity
◦ An opportunity is a chance to attain some benefits or
goods (meritocracy)
◦ Equality of opportunity to attain it should be – equal
rewards for equal performance in term of education,
employment, income, wealth
Economic mobility versus social mobility
Political and Economic Theories
Modern Liberalism
Adding the positives from all three systems, Liberty
plus justice. Businesses owe the society, public
investment of school, transportation, health, roads,
technology etc.
Modern Liberalism
Adding the positives from all three systems, Liberty
plus justice. Businesses owe the society, public
investment of school, transportation, health, roads,
technology etc.
John Rawls’s Theory of Justice
The original position and the veil of ignorance – if we
are stuck in a situation, would we settle for the kind
of help given to us – this is justice
The two principles of justice: 1) each person should
have equal rights to our system of liberty for all; 2)
Inequalities are to be the greatest benefit to the least
advantaged and attached to offices and positions open
to all.
The original position and the veil of ignorance – if we
are stuck in a situation, would we settle for the kind
of help given to us – this is justice
The two principles of justice: 1) each person should
have equal rights to our system of liberty for all; 2)
Inequalities are to be the greatest benefit to the least
advantaged and attached to offices and positions open
to all.
Political and Economic Theories
Capitalism
◦ Economic system where business and individuals own
and control much/most of the country’s capital.
Freedom to earn and spend income, market is based
on supply and demand, people work harder because
the end result helps them and their families
Capitalism
◦ Economic system where business and individuals own
and control much/most of the country’s capital.
Freedom to earn and spend income, market is based
on supply and demand, people work harder because
the end result helps them and their families