Equality of opportunity and differences in social circumstances
Mason, Andrew (2004) Equality of opportunity and differences in social circumstances. The Philosophical Quarterly, 54, (216), 368-388. (doi:10.1111/j.0031-8094.2004.00358.x).
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Description/Abstract
It is often supposed that the point of equality of opportunity is to create a level playing-field. This is understood in different ways, however. A common proposal is what I call the neutralization view: that people's social circumstances should not differentially affect their life chances in any serious way. I raise problems with this view, before developing an alternative conception of equal opportunity which allows some variations in social circumstances to create differences in life prospects. The meritocratic conception which I defend is grounded in the idea of respect for persons, and provides a less demanding interpretation of fair access to qualifications; it nevertheless places constraints on the behaviour of parents, and has implications for educational provision in schools.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| ISSNs: | 0031-8094 (print) |
| Related URLs: | |
| Subjects: | H Social Sciences > HT Communities. Classes. Races H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) |
| Divisions: | University Structure - Pre August 2011 > School of Social Sciences > Politics and International Relations |
| Item ID: | 33953 |
| Date Deposited: | 16 May 2006 |
| Last Modified: | 01 Jun 2011 11:32 |
| Contributors: | Mason, Andrew (Author) |
| Date: | 2004 |
| Status: | Published |
| Contact Email Address: | A.D.Mason@soton.ac.uk |
| URI: | http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/33953 |
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