ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to apply the principle of equal well-being to the basal sphere. As a distributive principle, the Principle of Basal Interest Equality (B.I.E. Principle) requires of social institutions—given the existence of adequate resources—that no person, within mat specific social formation which social institutions and arrangements have jurisdiction over, should go without food, shelter or other basal goods. In short, the priority of the B.I.E. Principle commands of social institutions that all persons’ basal interests be satisfied before social resources be directed toward the satisfaction of other interests. The chapter argues that the B.I.E. Principle is; conditionally prior to other distributive principles and, is a principle which may involve the sacrifice of redistribution across interests across persons. Discrimination in the basal sphere, on the grounds of merit, is morally abhorrent and not at all in keeping with the principle of respect for persons as ends.
