Final answer:
Equality refers to treating everyone the same with uniform rights and duties, while equity focuses on fairness, potentially requiring different treatment to address diverse needs and remove participation barriers. Equity can include economic actions like progressive taxation to support lower-income groups for greater social justice.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concepts of equality and equity are central to discussions on social justice and resource distribution. Equality generally refers to the principle that people should be treated the same, with the same rights, privileges, and duties in a society, as described by Black's Law.
On the other hand, equity is about fairness and may involve different treatment or the redistribution of resources to ensure that individuals have what they need to succeed and that barriers to full participation are addressed.
For example, equity in the economic sphere can manifest as progressive taxation of wealthier individuals to fund social welfare programs that benefit lower-income families, providing them with essential resources such as food stamps, cheaper housing, and medical care.
While equality aims for uniformity, equity acknowledges the different needs and challenges faced by various groups, seeking to correct imbalances and provide the necessary support to achieve true fairness.
Ultimately, a society striving for social justice will have to tackle complex issues related to equality and equity, considering not just resource distribution but also the equality of opportunity, involving aspects such as nepotism and biases, to create an environment where every individual has an equal chance at success.