The Logic of Egalitarian Norms

Abstract

"The Logic of Egalitarian Norms" was prompted by a recent article by Christopher J. Peters, "Equality Revisited," 110 Harv. L. Rev. 1210 (1997), arguing that the concept of equality is self-contradictory and sometimes leads to absurd results, such as the multiplication of wrongs or wasteful "leveling down" of social benefits. Peters' view is shared by other recent skeptical commentators who question the value of egalitarian norms or who worry that such norms are often misleading. The article defends egalitarian logic against such skepticism in a wide variety of legal domains.