Wanex 5-2
Equality: Do We Actually Seek It?
Yale psychologist Paul Bloom’s article published in The Atlantic, “People Don’t Actually
Want Equality,” is a significant piece focusing on the existence of a large divide over the achievement of fairness versus equality around the world. He argues that the overwhelming desire of all humans is to achieve fairness instead of equality, as no evidence exists that proves that humans naturally value equality. He specifically touches on economic inequality, in which he states that people are not focused on the actual inequity but instead on the unjust causes and consequences that it may elicit. Although Bloom’s claim is primarily focused on the human longing fairness instead of equality regarding economic …show more content…
He builds upon this idea by describing an experiment between two young boys, Dan and Mark, who were faced with the dilemma of being rewarded with an uneven amount of erasers for doing the same amount of work. He thoroughly articulates the popular responses that were received; as stated, “Children overwhelmingly reported that the experimenter should throw away the fifth eraser… It might seem as though these responses reflect a burning desire for equality, but more likely they reflect a wish for fairness.” It is evident from this simple situation that fairness is the ideal that most naturally try to achieve. Had Dan and Mark done unequal amounts of work, more erasers would have been given to the boy who completed the most to make the situation fair rather than equal. It has nothing to do with having each boy treated in the same manner, but rather ensuring that they are properly kept on the same playing field. Such an event is quite similar to the Black Lives Matter Movement, which is centered around ending the violence and systematic constantly inflicted upon black communities. If the supporters of this movement attempted to make its main focus on equality for blacks among other races, there would be an allowance of racial violence and discrimination against those people too. Clearly, this is not the goal; instead, they fight for fairness and justice for blacks who suffer from such bias. They continue to strive towards ensuring appropriate and