Arneson's Theory Of Equal Opportunity For Welfare

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Arneson argues that equal opportunity for welfare is a theory that is superior to equal opportunity for resources. This is because of its ability to account for personal preferences and its ability to hold individuals responsible for the outcome they receive based on their decisions. Furthermore, because the theory is able to account for different aspects of a person, whether it is nature or nurture. Arneson also uses the theory of equal opportunity for welfare in an attempt to solve the problem of "slavery of the talented" that arises in the theory of equal opportunity for resources, but he is only able to partially solve the problem because in a part of this theory unintentionally results in the slavery of those who have great negotiating …show more content…

This is the case because everyone faces equal opportunity for welfare. It is important to note that Arneson states that welfare is reliant upon whether or not an individual’s preferences are satisfied, and more specifically, the preferences, which the individual perceives as being good for its own sake and not as a means to an end (p. 85-86). He also defines opportunity as having a chance of getting a good if one seeks it (Arneson, p. 85). Therefore, equal opportunity for welfare requires that all individuals have an equal chance of being able to fulfill their preferences, if they chose to do so. Further, this theory supposedly does not face the problem of enslaving the talented; however, we will see that this is not the …show more content…

85). People may face an array of options, but their level of awareness and their ability to choose may differ. Therefore, equal opportunity for welfare obtains when all persons face effectively equivalent arrays of options (Arneson, p. 86). It is effectively equivalent in the sense (1) that not only are the options equivalent, but so are the abilities to negotiate the options; or, (2) that the options are non-equivalent to compensate the inequalities of negotiating abilities; or, (3) that the options are equivalent and any inequalities in negotiating abilities arose from causes that the individual is to be held personally responsible (Arneson, p.

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