Equality, Envy, and the Sense of Injustice

Abstract

This paper attempts to defend the value of equality against the accusation that it
 is an expression of irrational and disreputable feelings of envy of those who are better off. It
 draws on Rawls’ account of the sense of justice to suggest that resentment of inequalities may
 be a proper resentment of injustice. The case of resentment of ‘free riders’ is taken as one
 plausible example of a justified resentment of those who benefit unfairly from a scheme of
 cooperation. Further examples then link the case of the free rider to other cases of unjust
 inequalities which are the appropriate objects of resentment and indignation.