Is it okay that the extravagant wealth of a few depends on the awful miserable poverty of many?
The short answer to this question is no, it is not okay. The long answer is that it is a complex issue
with no easy solutions. However, I believe that we can use John Rawls' principles of justice to help us
understand the problem and to develop some possible solutions.
John Rawls' principles of justice
Rawls' first principle of justice is the principle of equal liberty. This principle states that all people
have an equal right to basic liberties such as freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and freedom of
association. Rawls' second principle of justice is the difference principle. This principle states that
inequalities in society are only justified if they benefit the least advantaged members of society. The
third principle of justice is the fair equality of opportunity principle. This principle states that
everyone should have an equal opportunity to succeed in life, regardless of their social class or
background.
Applying Rawls' principles to the cobalt mining industry
The cobalt mining industry in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is a clear example of
injustice. Children as young as six years old work in dangerous and exploitative conditions in the
mines. They are often paid very little money and they are exposed to toxic chemicals. The cobalt
they mine is used to make lithium cobalt batteries, which are essential for many modern
technologies, including electric cars and cell phones.
The extravagant wealth of the tech billionaires who produce these technologies is directly linked to
the poverty of the children who mine the cobalt. The tech billionaires are able to make their
fortunes because they are able to exploit the cheap labor of the children in the DRC. This is a clear
violation of Rawls' principles of justice.
The veil of ignorance
The veil of ignorance is a thought experiment that Rawls used to help us understand his principles of
justice. In the veil of ignorance, we imagine that we are behind a veil that prevents us from knowing
our own social class, race, gender, or any other personal characteristics. We are then asked to
choose principles of justice that we believe would be fair to everyone.
If we were behind the veil of ignorance, we would not want to live in a world where children are
forced to work in dangerous and exploitative conditions. We would want to live in a world where
everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed in life. This is why Rawls' principles of justice are so
important. They help us to create a more just society for everyone.
My opinion on the inequality described
I believe that the inequality described in this assessment is unacceptable. It is wrong that the
extravagant wealth of a few depends on the awful miserable poverty of many. We need to do more
to ensure that everyone has a fair chance to succeed in life. We need to end child labor and we need
to make sure that everyone in the cobalt mining industry is paid a fair wage.
Why I hold this opinion
I hold this opinion because I believe that everyone is entitled to a basic level of human dignity. No
one should have to live in poverty or to work in dangerous and exploitative conditions. We all have
the potential to contribute to society and we all deserve to be treated fairly.
Los beneficios de comprar resúmenes en Stuvia estan en línea:
Garantiza la calidad de los comentarios
Compradores de Stuvia evaluaron más de 700.000 resúmenes. Así estas seguro que compras los mejores documentos!
Compra fácil y rápido
Puedes pagar rápidamente y en una vez con iDeal, tarjeta de crédito o con tu crédito de Stuvia. Sin tener que hacerte miembro.
Enfócate en lo más importante
Tus compañeros escriben los resúmenes. Por eso tienes la seguridad que tienes un resumen actual y confiable.
Así llegas a la conclusión rapidamente!
Preguntas frecuentes
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
100% de satisfacción garantizada: ¿Cómo funciona?
Nuestra garantía de satisfacción le asegura que siempre encontrará un documento de estudio a tu medida. Tu rellenas un formulario y nuestro equipo de atención al cliente se encarga del resto.
Who am I buying this summary from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller smartacademy1. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy this summary for 2,64 €. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.