Philosophy:Lottery of birth

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Short description: Philosophical argument

The lottery of birth is a philosophical argument which states that since no one chooses the circumstances into which they are born, people should not be held responsible for them (being rich, being poor and so on).[1]

The lottery of birth argument has been used by philosophers such as John Locke, Thomas Hobbes and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, but more modern day uses have been prompted by political theorists such as John Rawls, who explores the subject in depth in his book A Theory of Justice.[2]

See also

References

  1. Roemer, John E. (2002-04-01). "Equality of opportunity: A progress report" (in en). Social Choice and Welfare 19 (2): 455–471. doi:10.1007/s003550100123. ISSN 0176-1714. 
  2. Roemer, John E. (2002). "Egalitarianism against the Veil of Ignorance". The Journal of Philosophy 99 (4): 167–184. doi:10.2307/3655614.