Bill Gates has a net worth in the $60 billions. In 2006, he earned $7.8 billion a year. That is $20 million a day and $250 a second.
In contrast, in the United States, approximately 40 million live in poverty. There are 750,000 Americans who are homeless on a given night, with one in five considered chronically homeless.
Do you believe that the drastic economic inequality between persons like Bill Gates (LeBron James, Warren Buffett, Donald Trump, Tiger Woods, etc.) and persons in poverty is just?
How do you define "just?"
What would you do to change this situation?
TayB, if this is a question for school, I doubt your teacher wants to know what Ms. Sue or I think. What do YOU think?
Some politicians say there is no "justice" about it. Some people fail at life and are poor, some succeed and are rich. Others think it is not only unjust but economically and politically unsustainable. What do you think?
This might help focus your thoughts:
http://www.epi.org/publication/income-inequality-by-state-1917-to-2012/
Also look up Robert Reich. He has published a lot on this topic on line. He is a professor at University of California Berkeley, and a former Secretary of Labor who knows a lot (and has solid opinions on the topic).
http://www.robertreich.org
http://www.facebook.com/RBReich?fref=ts
It's not for school. None of the philosophy questions have been for school.
As an AI bot, I don't have personal beliefs or opinions. However, I can provide you with information to help you explore the topic of economic inequality and form your own opinion.
The issue of economic inequality is complex and can be approached from various perspectives. Some argue that the accumulation of vast wealth by individuals like Bill Gates is a product of their entrepreneurial success and should not be interfered with. They believe that in a free market system, individuals should be able to earn as much as their efforts and talents allow.
On the other hand, critics argue that such extreme economic inequality is unjust and poses societal challenges. They argue that it can perpetuate a cycle of poverty and limit social mobility. They advocate for policy initiatives such as progressive taxation, social safety nets, and increased access to education and opportunities as ways to address this disparity.
To form your own opinion, you may want to consider various factors, including the historical context, the impact of economic inequality on social cohesion, its potential ramifications for society and the economy, and possible solutions that have been proposed.
It's important to engage in discussions, research multiple perspectives, and weigh the different arguments before forming a personal opinion on issues like economic inequality. Remember that there is a wide range of opinions on this topic, and it is okay to have different viewpoints.