Equality & Fairness
In all activities & interaction, merit & justice must form the foundations.
Introduction
The terms ‘equality’ and ‘fairness’ are sometimes used interchangeably in the context of conflict. Justice in a wide sense is action taken in line with the provisions of a law.
Arguments related to fairness and justice hold long convention in western civilization. It won’t be wrong to say that no idea other than justice has been more consistently linked to morality and ethics. From Plato to John Rawls, every work related to ethics have embedded justice in morality’s central core
Are Values of Equality & Fairness Vital to Development of Society?
Principles of equality and fairness lie at the core of our modern civilization and individual behaviors confirming and in accordance with equitable and fair practices are encouraged throughout the society. From the Republic, written by the ancient Greek philosopher Plato, to A Theory of Justice, written by the late Harvard philosopher John Rawls, every major work concerning social development of a society has held Equality and Fairness as central pillar of state.
What Are the Moral Standards for Equality & Fairness?
The equality is about giving a person his/ her due. Fairness and justice are almost synonyms to each other, however, there is a very slight difference between the two. While fairness relates to judging without referring to one’s interest or feelings, justice is about standard of rightness. Question of fairness and justice arises when people differ in terms of what they deserve or how burdens and benefits should be distributed.
However, most of the ethicists argue that there is no point of discussing fairness or justice when if it were not for conflict of interest which arises when resources are scarce, and people differ in terms of their demands. In such scenarios, general principles of fairness and justice are needed that people can accept as fair and reasonable standards to determine what they all deserve.[1]
Example of Equality & Fairness Practices from the Life of Holy Prophet SAW
The most defining anecdote of equality can be given from the life of Holy Prophet SAW, when an Arab woman and her two children entered the house of Holy Prophet and was greeted by the noble wife of prophet Hazrat Ayesha (R.A). She gave three dates to the women gave one date to each child and later split the third remaining dates into two equal halves and distributed each half equally among her children. When Hazrat Ayesha (R.A) narrated the whole story to the Holy Prophet SAW upon which he said: “Did the lady’s act leave you astonished? Due to her fairness and even-handedness, Allah shall place her in Paradise.”
Balancing Equality, Equity & Fairness
· Equal is defined as the same or exactly alike. [Equality]
· Fair is defined as just or appropriate in the circumstances. [Fairness]
· Equity is defined as the quality of being fair and impartial.
Conclusion
Equality and Fairness are a focal part and ought to be given due thought in our ethical lives. In evaluating any interaction and activity, we should find out if our activities and actions treat all persons equally and fairly. If not, we should decide if the distinction in treatment is legitimate and justifiable: are the measures we are utilizing pertinent to the current circumstance? Be that as it may, equality and fairness are by all accounts not the only predominating guiding principle to for ensuring all the decisions are equitable and fair in nature.
Occasionally principles might should be superseded for different sorts of moral cases like moral claims such as rights or society’s welfare. In any case, equality and fair practices are a fundamental expression of our shared acknowledgment of one another essential respect, and an affirmation that assuming that we are to live respectively in a society we should treat each other as equal, and our practices should be fair.
References
[1] O’Brien, M., 2011. Equality and fairness: Linking social justice and social work practice. Journal of Social Work, 11(2), pp.143–158.
[2] Cain, B.E., MacDonald, K. and McDonald, M., 2005. From equality to fairness: The path of political reform since Baker v. Carr. Party lines: Competition, partisanship, and congressional redistricting, 6(8).
