Sociology 3945: Worksheet--Your philosophy of Inequality
Part I. Answer the following questions and bring them to class on Friday.

1. Every known society is characterized by some kinds of inequality. Is this because inequality accomplishes something important for the very existence of society, or is it just a universal hindrance (like prejudice, intolerance, and ethnocentrism)?

2. Is inequality necessary to motivate people, or can they be motivated by other factors, such as love of the common good; appreciation, prestige and honor; or the intrinsic interest of a particular work?

3. How much of a factor was money in your choice of major and whatever thoughts you have about your ultimate occupational goal? If money wasn't the main issue, what was? If money wasn't the main issue, was it still important in the sense that you wanted to have work that would get you to a certain standard of middle class comfort?

4. Is the issue with inequality a matter of degree? Should there be limits on inequality and at which end of the spectrum (poverty or wealth) should those limits be? Do you think there is too much inequality in American society at present?

5. Or is the issue more a matter of equal opportunity? If everyone had a fair chance to compete for the high paying jobs, would a very large degree of inequality be fine? If you wanted to give people truly equal opportunity, what would you do with the advantage that comes from being born in a particular family (what did Plato suggest? do you remember from the first chapter?).

Part II. Check the labels on the clothes and shoes you're wearing and bring to class a list of the countries in which they were manufactured.