Equal Consideration and Treatment Equality Ethics Singer says

Equal Consideration and Treatment

Equality – Ethics, Singer says, has changed. – Homosexual sex, abortion, or suicide, all once forbidden, are now allowed in many cultures. – Many people, Singer says, accept the idea of equality, as such. – Still, this is often more honored in words than deeds. Many people say that they value equality, but are still prejudiced in practice.

Moral Personality? – John Rawls tries to say that we can define equality by moral personality, a sense of right and wrong at all. – Such people have a sense of justice. – But as Singer says, such personality in fact, is a matter of degree – Moreover, infants, psychopaths, etc. have none of this.

Equality is not Factual – Perhaps, Singer says, we can just stipulate that people are factually equal. – Can we? – But then, Singer asks, what if there are factual differences? – We can reject this hierarchy of intelligence only if we are clear that the claim to equality does not rest on the possession of moral personality, intelligence, or similar matter of fact. – So, as Singer says, moral equality is not about facts, really. – Equality, rather, is a basic moral principle. – Yet what does it mean to say that equality is not based on facts, but is somehow basic?

Consideration of Interests – Equality, Singer says, rests on what he calls the equal consideration of interests. – In other words, he says – The essence of the principle of equal consideration of interests is that we must give equal weight in our moral considerations to all those who may be affected by our actions. – So we must give different people equal weight in our considerations. – Whenever we deliberate morally, everyone gets considered the same, no matter who they are.

Not Equal Treatment – But crucially, Singer says that equal consideration of interests does not demand equal treatment. – Earthquake victims. – Crushed leg – Just a gash on the leg – In this case, we should give the morphine to the person who we can save. – So equal consideration, but unequal treatment.

The Vacuity Objection – Yet as Singer admits, because the principle of equal consideration demands unequal treatment, it may seem vacuous. – In other words, by it, it seems we can justify anything. – How does the principle of equal consideration of interests recommend anything at all? – Singer answers that, in all moral calculations, preference utilitarianism decides. – When preferences are considered, the principle of equal consideration is often quite specific.

Too Demanding? – Another potential problem, Singer admits, is that we often do not want to count all interests equally. – Naturally, we consider friends, family, etc. first. – Perhaps, then, the principle of equal consideration of interests is too demanding on us. – Singer responds that the objection is the problem. – Although we typically treat family and friends first, we must learn to be better people.

Racial Differences? – Jensen and Eysenck argue that intelligence varies according to race. Some races, they argue, are smarter. – And, Jensen and Eysenck argue, the reason is genetic. – Indeed, as Singer notes, this thesis would seem to justify racism, and many people have used it for this purpose. – Perhaps, one might respond, it is all environment. – Yet what if Jensen and Eysenck are correct?

Genetics not Important – Singer responds that, according to equal consideration, such genetic differences do not matter. – Even with such genetic differences, we still have every obligation to remove other obstacles, such as poverty, schooling, etc. – Such differences may affect the group, but not individuals. – Equal consideration is not based upon intelligence, or facts, but on avoiding pain, need for basic things, etc. Such things are the same for all. – Singer quotes Thomas Jefferson who says that intelligence does not affect rights.

Gender Differences – Just like race, Singer says, many have tested gender differences. – Language – Math – In general, men are more aggressive and commit most violent crimes. – Some say these are all environment. – Again, Singer notes that such gender differences do not affect his view.

Gender not Important – Singer offers the same three reasons why gender differences do not matter. – Such differences can be minimized, and should be. – Even if groups have trends, individuals stand out. – Equal consideration of interests is not based on facts like these, but on pain, pleasures, etc. – So again, especially for the last reason, gender differences are irrelevant.

Equal Opportunity? – What about equal opportunity? – As Singer says, we have different parents, schools, incomes. – Even worse, we have different genetic potentials. – And we cannot eliminate these. – Singer responds that when we heed all these differences, we reward the lucky and penalize the unlucky. – Indeed, we cannot help doing this! – Does this make not render attempts to equally consider interests either ineffective or harmful?

Marxism? – Perhaps, Singer suggests, we might follow the Marxist notion from each according to his ability, each according to his needs. – So we can each develop our abilities. – And, we deserve whatever it we need to do so. – So some people will need more resources, food, and the like, since we are all different.

Brain Drain? – Yet, Singer asks, would not this Marxist idea undermine motive? – Oddly, Singer does not see that such differences would affect our motives. – More importantly, Singer still admits that this Marxist idea would still lead to a brain drain. – So when we follow equal consideration of interests, we will end up rewarding the lucky, as such.

Affirmative Action – As an example, Singer addresses affirmative action. – Just because we admit inequality, that does not mean we cannot do anything about it. – Universities, Singer notes, do not consider the interests of applicants at all. – Why do they use intelligence tests? – In response, universities cite their own goals such as producing the best qualified professionals that they can. – Still, they hope to help the most people have equal opportunity they can.

Equal Consideration – Still, Singer likes the idea of affirmative action. – Yes, it will not produce equal opportunity. – But by doing so at least to some extent, it makes it easier to consider equal consideration of interests.