undefined | Better HN

0 pointsarethuza8y ago0 comments

Well, one possible reason is that we may have an inbuilt sense of "fairness" - capachin monkeys have been demonstrated in experiments to get angry if they get unfairly rewarded. So might not people feel angry in the same circumstances?

A valid criticism of socialism for running societies (rather than institutions) is that it doesn't align well with "human nature" - but it might also be the case where the "winner takes all" aspects of capitalism also have similar problems.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/09/0917_030917_...

0 comments

bmmayer18y ago

It's key that monkeys, like humans, object to unfairness--not 'inequality.' Turns out that relative contribution matters a lot to how monkeys/people judge rewards.[1]

[1]https://www.nature.com/articles/s41562-017-0082

arethuzaOP8y ago

But inequality arguably leads to unfairness though - is it "fair" that someone who is successful can get better chances for their kids through better environment, schooling and connections?

I'd argue that inequality pretty much always leads to unfairness.

Edit: And I say that as someone who pays for their kids to be privately educated at a prestigious private school because it is obvious that doing so gives them an unfair advantage.

bmmayer18y ago

I think the point is that fairness leads to inequality.

arethuzaOP8y ago

And extreme economic inequality leads to people using their money to control politics and the media to stack the system in their favour. It's not simply the inequality that is the problem its what the rich choose to do with their money that is causing problems.

1 more reply

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

0 comments

bmmayer18y ago

It's key that monkeys, like humans, object to unfairness--not 'inequality.' Turns out that relative contribution matters a lot to how monkeys/people judge rewards.[1]

[1]https://www.nature.com/articles/s41562-017-0082

arethuzaOP8y ago

But inequality arguably leads to unfairness though - is it "fair" that someone who is successful can get better chances for their kids through better environment, schooling and connections?

I'd argue that inequality pretty much always leads to unfairness.

Edit: And I say that as someone who pays for their kids to be privately educated at a prestigious private school because it is obvious that doing so gives them an unfair advantage.

bmmayer18y ago

I think the point is that fairness leads to inequality.

arethuzaOP8y ago

1 more reply

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse