Single Idea 18638

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / A. Basis of a State / 4. Original Position / c. Difference principle]

Full Idea

The difference principle does not make any distinction between chosen and unchosen inequalities, ....but the difference principle requires that some people subsidise the costs of other people's choices.

Gist of Idea

The difference principles says we must subsidise the costs of other people's choices

Source

Will Kymlicka (Contemporary Political Philosophy (1st edn) [1990], 3.3.b.2)

Book Reference

Kymlicka,Will: 'Contemporary Political Philosophy (1st edn)' [OUP 1992], p.75


A Reaction

We do this in education, allowing people to study things in which we can see little point. We subsidise public ceremonies which strike us as ridiculous.

Related Idea

Idea 18631 All desirable social features should be equal, unless inequality favours the disadvantaged [Rawls]