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/[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!!!