Inequality

One new idea about inequality that I gathered from the Charon text that "individual qualities, for example, not only will differentiate us from one another, but also often become the basis for inequality." (73).  Although the text continues to specify as to why inequality exists through examples of division of labor and how inequality exists in the workforce, it is this statement that sticks with me.  Regardless of the reasons we are the way we are, it's mostly individuality that determines social inequality.  The text showed me that inequality doesn't necessarily mean injustice but a difference amongst people.  The mogul that sits in his penthouse must possess radically different qualities than that of the man perfectly content with working his 9-5 and coming home to his family.  I myself have wanted to pursue a career in entertainment but found that I do not possess the cutthroat qualities to make it big in the business.  I value the time I spend with my family and friends and I'm all around a lazy person :) Although we all struggle to rise and perhaps dream of becoming someone wildly successful, it is ultimately our own individual personalities that determine our social standing.  Not everyone can be the same, have the same goals, ideas, or dreams.  This, to me, was one of the main factors of social inequality and a great starting point for any discussion on the topic.  The other stuff was interesting but I felt it was most important to start with the individual when discussing social inequality.