ABSTRACT
This chapter defines a substantive principle of equality and discusses its rationale in terms of a contractarian theory of justice. Within the theory of justice the central problem is to determine the ethically correct division of burdens and benefits consequent upon social co-operation. The chapter focuses on the argument for equality in the distribution of economic welfare. Justice is properly regarded as an end in itself, and therefore a distribution which is considered just requires no further ethical argument in its favour. In formulating an appropriate principle of equality there are various complications to which the contracting parties would have to give consideration. An agreement to compensate for natural disadvantages can appeal neither to merit nor to the unordered results of exchange, for both these latter criteria gear the provision of benefits to some particular sets of abilities distributed among members of the population.
