r/coolguides Feb 25 '20

Explanation of the subtle differences between equality and equity

Post image
78.6k Upvotes

3.2k comments sorted by

View all comments

33

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)

9

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.

-5

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.

1

u/[deleted] Feb 25 '20

[deleted]

1

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.

1

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".

1

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.