Whereas Equal Unfreedom, where we are all slaves or lack basic rights, strikes us as wrong because it is unfree. Unequal freedom, where some have freedom of religion and others do not, strikes us as wrong because it is unequal. In the sphere of religious worship, for example, individuals decide what religion they will worship. Part of what we value in this mixture is the protection from interference and having others dictate our lives to us and the other part of what we value is that we enjoy this protection on equal terms. Our equal rights to a fair trial, to vote in elections, to association, speech and religion are each an equal right to a sphere of freedom. Inequality in these areas seems as intolerable as sameness in dress, family size or in our choice of recreational activities.įreedom or opportunity may explain where and when equality seems most important. For instance, equality before the law and equal rights to vote seem to be at the heart of our convictions about how we should live together. Equality is still attractive if we limit its scope to some areas. However, we should be careful not to reject equality entirely on this basis. For instance, if everyone were forced to wear the same clothes, pursue the same hobbies and have the same number of children, we would think this was intolerable. Equality of opportunity is a social ideal that combines concern with freedom and equality, and this social ideal provides a vision of how we ought to live together.Īt first glance, the value of equality can seem to demand uniformity that seems dystopian. Freedom and equality are foundational values that we draw upon when envisioning a better society.
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