Ideas from 'The Idea of Equality' by Bernard Williams [1962], by Theme Structure

[found in 'Problems of the Self: Papers 1956-1972' by Williams,Bernard [CUP 1979,0-521-29060-0]].

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23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 3. Virtues / h. Respect
Equality of opportunity without equality of respect would create a very inhuman society
                        Full Idea: A highly rational, efficient and unmitigated application of the idea of equality of opportunity, while abandoning the idea of equality of respect as vague and nostalgic, would lead to a quite inhuman society.
                        From: Bernard Williams (The Idea of Equality [1962], §3)
25. Social Practice / B. Equalities / 1. Grounds of equality
Equality implies that people are alike in potential as well as in needs
                        Full Idea: Supporters of equality have asserted that people are alike in certain things they could do or achieve, as well as in the things that they need and could suffer.
                        From: Bernard Williams (The Idea of Equality [1962], §2)
Equality seems to require that each person be acknowledged as having a significant point of view
                        Full Idea: Equality seems to require that each person is owed an effort at identification; they should not be seen as a surface to which a label can be applied, but one should try to see the world (including the label) from their point of view.
                        From: Bernard Williams (The Idea of Equality [1962], §2)
25. Social Practice / B. Equalities / 4. Economic equality
It is a mark of extreme exploitation that the sufferers do not realise their plight
                        Full Idea: It is a mark of extreme exploitation or degradation that those who suffer it do NOT see themselves differently from the way they are seen by the exploiters.
                        From: Bernard Williams (The Idea of Equality [1962], §2)