A Just Society
A just society is the one that has a fair distribution of resources, political transparency, and fair justice to those who deserve it and an appropriate punishment for those who break the law among others. In a just society, there should be no people who are more privileged than others.
In a just society, all people are protected despite their socioeconomic status, race, and religion. Equality of opportunity is that all people should be given opportunities to adequately develop their skills, interests, and ambitions. An individual skill, talent, and interest may be influenced by a number of things which may be different from another one who has similar skills and talents. Considering this, a just society should not provide equality of opportunity for those with the interest and talent.
Religious and Moral Views
A just society should not provide equality of opportunity for those with the interest or talent because of people have different moral and religious views. The views influence one’s interest and competitive (MacKinnon, Barbara, and Andrew). Societies and religions define morality, ethics and influences talents differently. Even though there are a lot of campaigns on women empowerment and fair treatment of the minority, it will still be an issue in the world due to the differences in what people hold.
Anerson gives an example of two religions preaches and their influence on one’s competitiveness that s. Religion A preaches competitive striving as the highest good, Religion B preaches laid-back gratefulness for God's gifts and counsels following the example of the lilies of the field, who neither toil not spin” (Anerson, P.79). A person who grows in religion A may be more successful than the one in religion B even if they have the same talent because of the religious background. A just society should just let the people decide what they need in life in regard to their moral and religious views. Despite the differences, people’s characteristics should not just be influenced by the rules of the society in favor of their particular characteristics (MacKinnon, Barbara, and Andrew).
Differences in Ambition
A just society should not provide equality of opportunity for those with the interest or talent because of differences in ambition. Two people with the same talent or interest may have different ambitions and this means that how they succeed in the future will be different. It is difficult to find two people aspiring to lead a similar form of life. For instance, if one decides to lead a lucrative life while the other a simple life, their different ambitions may make them achieve different success levels. “Same native talent, different ambitions, thus different prospects of competitive success" is not necessarily a description of injustice” (Anerson, p.79).
Unfair Education and Socialization
A just society should not provide equality of opportunity for those with the interest or talent because the education and socialization process that influences one’s ambition in regard to their talents and interests are unfair and biased. Even though people in a just society may have an equal allocation of resources, different environment and the ability to utilize them may result in differences such as socioeconomic. The education and socialization process may also be different to two people with the ability to have equal opportunities. Due to this, their ambition will be influenced differently and thus they may not attain an equality of opportunity.
The Resulting Differences
A just society ensures people are equally treated but does not influence how they take any advantage of the available opportunities. Due to their religion and moral views, ambitions and the education and socialization process they undergo, they end up having different competitive levels and also a success.
Works Cited
Anerson, Richard J. Against Rawlsian Equality of Opportunity. Springer, 1999.
MacKinnon, Barbara, and Andrew Fiala. Ethics: Theory and contemporary issues. Nelson Education, 2014.
