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Are egalitarians really vulnerable to the Levelling-Down Objection and the Divided World Example?

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  • Subbu Subramanian

    (Madras Institute of Development Studies)

Abstract

This essay is a quick critique of one aspect of Derek Parfit’s criticism of Egalitarianism in his larger consideration of the claims of, and distinction between, Prioritarianism and Egalitarianism. It reviews issues relating to the ‘Levelling Down Objection’ and the ‘Divided World Example’. More specifically, it is argued that the Levelling Down Objection is a serious problem only for Pure Telic Egalitarianism, not for Pluralist Telic Egalitarianism; and that even in a Divided World, one can have an egalitarian justification for preferring an equal distribution of a smaller sum of wellbeing to an unequal distribution of a larger sum. By these means, it is contended that Parfit’s claim of the vulnerability of Egalitarianism to the Levelling Down Objection and the Divided World Example is not sustainable.

Suggested Citation

  • Subbu Subramanian, 2011. "Are egalitarians really vulnerable to the Levelling-Down Objection and the Divided World Example?," The Journal of Philosophical Economics, Bucharest Academy of Economic Studies, The Journal of Philosophical Economics, vol. 4(2), pages 5-14, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:bus:jphile:v:4:y:2011:i:2:p:5-14
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    Cited by:

    1. Peter J. Lambert & S. Subramanian, 2014. "Group Inequalities and ‘Scanlan’s Rule’: Two Apparent Conundrums and How We Might Address Them," Working Papers 2014-084, Madras School of Economics,Chennai,India.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    pure and pluralist telic egalitarianism; deontic egalitarianism; prioritarianism;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Z00 - Other Special Topics - - General - - - General

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