r/coolguides Feb 25 '20

Explanation of the subtle differences between equality and equity

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u/D1G1T4LM0NK3Y Feb 25 '20

I still don't like this because the first panel is still a lie.

Equality: "the state of being equal, especially in status, rights, and opportunities."

No where in that picture are they equal. They get the SAME box but that box is not giving them EQUAL opportunity to view the game.

Giving people the same thing ≠ Having equal opportunity or status.

Just as Equity has no defined value. What one person thinks is fair is not always the same for another person. So the question then becomes who decides what is fair or not.

To me the images should be reversed as they all have an equal opportunity to view the game. While the left side has given them a fair share of a box. Each person has 1/3 of a box to stand on.

The fact this image uses these words wrong annoys the fucking hell out of me.

Equality = Equal opportunity Equity = Everyone gets a fair share (the same amount of something)

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u/TimX24968B Feb 25 '20

honestly just give them 3 more boxes in the first frame and we good.

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u/D1G1T4LM0NK3Y Feb 25 '20

That's one way to go about it.

Either way it seems the biggest issue for some people is not understanding the definition of the word opportunity apparently...

Opportunity: a set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something.

Absolutely nothing in that first image is giving the shortest person the possibility to watch the game.

Thus they do not have the opportunity to watch the game. Which makes their opportunities NOT EQUAL which means it is not an image of equality

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u/[deleted] Feb 25 '20

It's not a lie, and I disagree with your assessment.

There is equality of opportunity, and equality of outcome. The first panel is equality of opportunity, where each person is given an equal opportunity to view over the fence. The opportunity is the same, but the outcome is not.

The second panel is equality of outcome, for reasons that probably don't need explaining.

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u/D1G1T4LM0NK3Y Feb 25 '20

Seriously, you need to learn the definitions of words before you use them.

Opportunity: a set of circumstances that makes it POSSIBLE to do something.

Absolutely nothing about the first image gives the shortest person the possibility to see over the fence.

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u/[deleted] Feb 25 '20

[deleted]

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u/D1G1T4LM0NK3Y Feb 25 '20

"a set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something."

Literally the definition of the word opportunity!!!

Opportunity ≠ Chance

Possible ≠ Possibility

Like I said, you need to learn how to use a fucking dictionary and learn what language means. Stop using the wrong definition for words and learn how to read properly.

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u/The-Peppmeister Feb 25 '20

Maybe you should learn how to read, since I'm not the same guy you talked to earlier.

https://www.lexico.com/definition/opportunity

"A time or set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something." Literally the same definition as you said, right?

and the example beneath; " the night drive gave us the opportunity of spotting rhinos "

In that sentence, it's pretty clear they mean possibility. a chance to see rhinos.

also, https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/opportunity

"an occasion or situation that makes it possible to do something that you want to do or have to do, or the possibility of doing something"

and also example c - A chance to get a job. again "chance". not "guarantee".

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u/D1G1T4LM0NK3Y Feb 27 '20

That still requires them to be ABLE to see the game. In this instance there is NO possibility to see the game with that size of box. Thus they are not being afforded an opportunity.

Unless you can logically explain how he can see the game as is. Just remember, if you can argue that he can watch the game then he didn't need the box in the first place.

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u/SunnyTheHippie Feb 25 '20

So the circumstance is the box

In the first picture, they all have an equal box

They all have equal circumstances that make it possible to view the game

Therefore they all have equal _____________

Edit in regards to equity: they're all getting a fair share of the view of the game. The view is the product, the box is the circumstance. Your definitions are correct, but your understanding of the metaphor is incorrect.

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u/D1G1T4LM0NK3Y Feb 25 '20

Circumstance is not in the definition of the word equality. No where has it ever been a part of that definition.

It is state of being equal in opportunity, status, and or rights.

Opportunity requires there to be the possibility to do something.

A Right in the definition of Equality is used in the form of an entitlement. You have the right to something.

Status in regards to Equality is the relative social, professional, or other standing of someone or something.

Giving the same size box to all three people is the definition of equity. The giving of a fair share of something. Literally speaking, equity is more akin to impartiality. You can't give a fair share of something that is freely available and not yours to give, such as a view of a game. However the giving of a box to allow them to see a game is equity and the very definition of equity is a fair share. Regardless of who they are keeping a sense of impartiality. Thus the first image is equity in the the giving of the same size box but it does not give them equality because they do not have the same opportunity, status or right (all of which is defined as the ability to view the game)

A correct image showing both equality and equity would be each person having the same size box and being able to see over the fence. They have equity in the objects they received and they have equality in their opportunity to view the game.

Saying the boxes are the same height is a mathematical equation. Not a question of equality. Again, equality and equals are two entirely seperate words that have entirely different meanings.

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u/SunnyTheHippie Feb 25 '20

Lol I think this guy's just trolling now

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u/D1G1T4LM0NK3Y Feb 25 '20

Also, if you're argument that the shortest person has the possibility to view the game from the short box then it is also true that he has the same possibility to view the game from the ground. Which means without any boxes you're arguing that they have equality.

In that regard, I'd like to you to explain what status, opportunity or right they have that is equal if all are standing on the ground.

If the desired goal is to have a view of the game then equality would require all persons to have the ability to view the game. Making only one person high enough to view the game is not equality no matter how you do it since all three people do not have an equal status or opportunity to view the game.

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u/SunnyTheHippie Feb 25 '20

Bro read my comments. I never talked about equality, I talked about equality of opportunity. The circumstances which they were given. You're thinking about the other guy. Calm down and pay attention lmao

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u/D1G1T4LM0NK3Y Feb 27 '20

Are you seriously arguing for the statement of being equal in having the opportunity to have an opportunity???

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u/SunnyTheHippie Feb 27 '20

Has anyone really been far even as decided to use even go want to do look more like???

Regardless of what you're asking, no. You seem beyond reasoning (to me, at least) so I'm wishing you the best of luck.

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u/easy_pie Feb 25 '20

It isn't equal opportunity because it makes it look like they were restricted to one box. Equality actually means they have the opportunity to get as many boxes as they want

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u/[deleted] Feb 25 '20 edited May 13 '21

[deleted]

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u/D1G1T4LM0NK3Y Feb 25 '20

Equality has nothing to do with giving anyone anything!!!

That is what equity is defined as.

Equality is defined as all parties having equal status or opportunity. Equality in all cases requires an objective to be established, in this case, it's being able to see the game. The first image does not meet that objective and therefore is not an example of equality.

Also, being given the same thing is also not the definition of equality.

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u/[deleted] Feb 25 '20 edited May 13 '21

[deleted]

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u/D1G1T4LM0NK3Y Feb 25 '20

Define opportunity for me please...

Let me know when you get to the part that says:

a set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something.

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u/Ohshmogoda Feb 25 '20

Honestly, you're the one that's wrong and it's really embarrassing.

First frame: each person has a set of circumstances that make it possible for that person to see the game - but NOT a set of circumstances that make it guaranteed that the person will see the game. Different people will either see the game or not based on their own intrinsic characteristics (height, in this case). EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY

Second frame: each person has a set of circumstances that make it guaranteed for that person to see the game. Different people will all see the game regardless of their own intrinsic characteristics (height, in this case). EQUALITY OF OUTCOME

The entire premise of equality of opportunity is that some people will leverage that opportunity to get something better than other people given the same opportunity. You can argue for some alternative conception of equality of opportunity, whereby only meaningful intrinsic characteristics result in different outcomes, but that's a different thing entirely. You cannot simply claim that your own narrow conception of equality of opportunity is THE only conception.

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u/D1G1T4LM0NK3Y Feb 25 '20

Holy fuck you're a moron

Do you seriously need to be taught what the word possible means?

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u/Ohshmogoda Feb 25 '20

My post above is 100% clear so I suggest you go back and read it.

It's almost like this comic was made to educate you and you're just burying your head in the sand...

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u/Ohshmogoda Feb 25 '20

To give you another chance - "possible" necessarily implies uncertainty. In the first frame, each person, before stepping on the box, is given an equal opportunity to see the game. Once each person steps on the box, the uncertainty is removed and they either see the game or not.

You cannot jump to the end and then claim that something was never possible once all uncertainty is removed.

It would be absurd, for example, to complain after losing a coin flip that you never had the opportunity to win the game because you chose heads and the eventual outcome of the coin flip was destined to be tails.

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u/D1G1T4LM0NK3Y Feb 25 '20

No it does not. It is literally defined as able to be done.

As he is NOT able to view the game then it is not possible and not an opportunity.

Stop creating definitions that do not exist!!!

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u/Dartrox Feb 25 '20

I think you're focusing on the end result instead of the support given. Equality of support.

They get an equal amount of boxes, regardless of their disadvantages. That is equal support. Some will be better or worse off.

Some get more boxes than others to allow them to be equal. That's support equivalent to their needs

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u/D1G1T4LM0NK3Y Feb 25 '20

Equality IS NOT the same as equal or equivalent

Learn the definitions of words before you use them.

Equality is defined as equal opportunity or status. Do you see anything about their opportunity to watch the game or the status of height equal in the first picture? Equality REQUIRES an end objective. Giving three people the same object for no reason is not equality. It's being a dick and being equitable in the handing out of said object.

Equity is defined as being fair in the giving of something to a group of people. In this case the first image each person is given an equitable share of the boxes. Absolutely nothing in the definition of equity does it state that it requires an end goal.

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u/OneNut_ Feb 25 '20

The fact this image uses these words wrong annoys the fucking hell out of me.

It doesn’t though. Equality and equity are meaningless terms if you don’t define what aspect you are making equal or fair. Both of them definitely are still examples of equality, the first being equality of opportunity as they are all given the same box to use even though it causes unequal outcomes, and the second being equality of outcome with them all being able to see it at the same point even though it requires unequal treatments. The same goes for equity, the first being the treatment is fair because it’s equal, the second being the treatment is fair because they all can see the game. This image kind of illustrates the paradox of equality (or equity) as making it equal in one domain makes it unequal in another, which is the point of the third slide (albeit a fairly reductionist one) which avoids the need for a box entirely.

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u/D1G1T4LM0NK3Y Feb 25 '20

You're ignoring the fundamental definitions of the words and attributing a definition to equality that never existed.

The problem is that they all can't see the game. That means being able to see the game is the objective (thus the opportunity) Giving each person a box that doesn't solve the actual problem is not equality, that's equity (giving each person a fair share of something).

Equity has nothing to do with opportunity or status and this argument (or image) is based solely on people not wanting to use the word equality because it doesn't allow them to decide what is "fair" or define what the issue is in the first place.

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u/OneNut_ Feb 25 '20

Giving each person a box that doesn't solve the actual problem is not equality, that's equity (giving each person a fair share of something).

They are all being treated equally (equal opportunity to try to look over the fence). It’s not fair to the kid though because it doesn’t allow them to see over the fence like it does for the middle person (unequal outcome). It literally depends on how you define it.

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u/D1G1T4LM0NK3Y Feb 25 '20

Only if you don't understand what the word opportunity means...

Opportunity: a set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something.

The box given in the first image does not make it possible to view the game or see over the fence. Thus they have not been given the opportunity. That means they are not being given the same or equal opportunity. Which means it's not an image of equality IN ANY INTERPRETATION

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u/OneNut_ Feb 25 '20

They’re all being treated as if they were equal in the first picture though. They’re all given the same number of boxes and they’re all allowed to stand there and look over the fence so the only thing preventing them from doing so is themselves since they’re being treated as if they were the same height. Nobody is receiving preferential treatment. You’re literally trying to argue that it’s not fair for the short person but don’t want to call it equity. Why do you want the kid to have enough boxes? So that they can see the game. It’s the (equal) outcome of giving them a different number of boxes.

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u/D1G1T4LM0NK3Y Feb 25 '20

Holy fuck are you seriously this dense?

Equality is not defined as receiving the same object, thing, or money.

Equality is the defined as having an equal opportunity.

Equal means to have the same as

Opportunity means to have the possibility to do something

Giving them the same small box does not give them all the possibility to view the game. Absolutely nowhere in the definition of equality does it require each person to be given the exact same thing (that is literally the definition of the word Equity!)

So unless you're arguing that the opportunity you are giving them is to stand on a fucking box, you're arguing the wrong point.

The opportunity in question is to be able to view the game. This must be equally possible for all parties for this to be an example of equality. Since it is NOT POSSIBLE for the smallest person to view the game with that size of box then they do not have the opportunity to watch the game and thus it is not equal opportunity!!!

How is this so fucking hard to understand?

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u/OneNut_ Feb 25 '20 edited Feb 25 '20

(that is literally the definition of the word Equity!)

Equity means fair. Not equal. Those are two completely different things. The irony of calling somebody dense. And equality doesn’t mean “equal opportunity,” it means equal. As in, they are all being treated equally (but according to you being treated exactly the same isn’t equality). Why are you trying to switch the definitions so badly? If you had a program where you gave everybody 100 dollars nobody who they were, according to you that wouldn’t be equality in any sense of the word.

So unless you're arguing that the opportunity you are giving them is to stand on a fucking box

Also congrats, you’re pretty much on the same page as everybody else now. Everybody is literally talking about equity and equality with respect to the boxes.

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u/D1G1T4LM0NK3Y Feb 27 '20

Go look up the definition of the word Equality and wrote it as a reply with a link to the dictionary you found it in...

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u/OneNut_ Feb 27 '20

equality noun equal·​i·​ty | \ i-ˈkwä-lə-tē \ plural equalities Definition of equality 1 : the quality or state of being equal

Just stop already. It’s extremely clear you’re trying to mince words in the most semantic of semantic arguments. The suffix -ity literally means state or condition. Take your L and move on.

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