ABSTRACT
Equality is a protean word. It is one of those political symbols — liberty and fraternity are others - into which men have poured the deepest urgings of their hearts. On the many conceptions of equality that have emerged over time, the one that today enjoys the most popularity is equality of opportunity. The first thing to notice is that the usual formulation of the doctrine is rather misleading, for the fact always is that not all talents can be developed equally in any given society. Before one subscribes to the equality of opportunity formula, then, he should be certain that the dominant values, institutions, and goals of his society are the ones he really wants. Second, it might be argued that the equality of opportunity principle need not be interpreted and applied, as it has been in this treatment, within a setting and under the assumptions of social competitiveness.
