ERIC Number: EJ1439793
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 18
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: EISSN-2374-8257
The Challenge of Inequity: How to Negotiate a World of "Haves" and "Have-Nots"
Taya Wall; Susan T. Gardner
Analytic Teaching and Philosophical Praxis, v44 n1 p56-73 2024
For much of human history, inequity was taken as a fact of life. However, as reflection on the human condition became more prominent, arguments that some forms of inequity can be ameliorated began to emerge. In this paper, the authors note that "inequity aversion" is a built-in human trait, and they reflect on the fact that, nonetheless, throughout human history, inequity has typically been the norm. In spite of the difficulties inherent to the challenge of making progress toward a less unequal world, the authors argue that progress is nonetheless possible, particularly if those bent on such movement adopt the following five rules of thumb: (1) Pick your battles, (2) articulate a precise doable vision, (3) speak to the collective imagination, (4) avoid virtue signalling, while embracing costly ones, and (5) get comfortable with tragic optimism. The article concludes by focusing on the need for educators to help shape the lenses of the next generation so that, when they view the enormity not only of the number of problems that humans face, but also the scope of each one, they are not overwhelmed either with anger or pessimism.
Descriptors: Social Justice, Social Values, Collectivism, Advantaged, Disadvantaged, Conflict Resolution, Strategic Planning, Goal Orientation, Teachers, Instructional Innovation, Social Problems, Teacher Influence
Viterbo University. 900 Viterbo Drive, La Crosse, WI 54601. Tel: 608-796-3700; Web site: https://journal.viterbo.edu/index.php/atpp/index
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Opinion Papers
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A