Egalitarianism

Egalitarianism is the moral doctrine that equality ought to prevail throughout society. One can best understand various types of egalitarianism by asking "Who is supposed to be equal?" and "In what respect are they supposed to be equal?"

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The English word is derived from the French word égal meaning equal or level.

Related Topics:
English - French

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Almost all theories of egalitarianism regard humans as the relevant group among whom equality should prevail. However, some versions of utilitarianism, such as Peter Singer's, include animals and maintain that the pleasures and pains of every animal, not only human animals, should count equally in moral deliberation. Singer has defended this view on what he calls the principle of equal consideration of interests. The argument is outlined in his essay "All Animals Are Equal".

Related Topics:
Utilitarianism - Peter Singer - Equal consideration of interests

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Common forms of egalitarianism are material or economic egalitarianism, moral egalitarianism, legal egalitarianism, democratic egalitarianism, political egalitarianism, gender egalitarianism and opportunity egalitarianism. According to material egalitarianism, everyone ought to be equal with respect to material possessions. According to legal egalitarianism, everyone ought to be considered equal under the law. According to moral egalitarianism, each person is of equal moral worth. According to democratic egalitarianism, everyone ought to have an equal voice in public affairs. According to political egalitarianism, everyone ought to be equal in political power. According to opportunity egalitarianism everyone ought to be equal in economic opportunity.

Related Topics:
Economic egalitarianism - Moral egalitarianism - Legal egalitarianism - Democratic egalitarianism - Political egalitarianism - Gender egalitarianism - Opportunity egalitarianism

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