Still bearing the mark of Cain? Ethics and inequality measurement

Abstract

In this paper, we build on our previous work thatapplied Amartya Sen and Martha Nussbaum’sAristotelian grounded theory of capabilities tothe workplace in order to propose a new way ofconceptualising workplace equality (Gagnon &Cornelius 2000). Our attention is turned inparticular to Sen’s assertion that equality canonly be understood by recognising the essentialdiversity of human beings.Capabilities theory calls for equal freedoms toachieve and to function. From a capabilitiesperspective, examination of equality action incommunities can only be meaningfully donethrough the use of a richer information base thanis often employed. Such ‘information broadening’is necessary because human diversity results ina range of sources of inequality that specificindividuals and groups may be prone to. Oneimplication is that a review and revision of howworkplace inequality is formally evaluated andthus measured is necessary: this is what we beginto explore in this article. Additionally, we attemptto develop a tentative outline of what might be the‘design elements’ for evaluation and measurementof explicitly ethically grounded approaches toaddressing workplace inequality.