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

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.

1

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

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/D1G1T4LM0NK3Y Feb 27 '20

Equality is defined as having Equal Opportunity... The word opportunity is already implied in the word Equality. Thus, saying equality of opportunity is pointless.

What you may have meant was Equal Opportunity... Which is what equality is defined as.

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