ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that the problems stem from a flawed understanding of the point of equality. It also argues that in focusing on correcting a supposed cosmic injustice, egalitarian writing has lost sight of the distinctively political aims of egalitarianism. The chapter presents a series of cases in which luck egalitarianism generates injustice. It shows that the reasons luck egalitarians offer for refusing to come to the aid of the victims of bad option luck express a failure to treat these unfortunates with equal respect and concern. The chapter suggests that the reasons luck egalitarians offer for coming to the aid of the victims of bad brute luck express disrespect for them. Where luck egalitarians tend to be either harsh or paternalistic toward the victims of bad option luck, they seem compassionate toward the victims of bad brute luck.
