Final answer:
The blank slate theory does not directly address inequality. Conflict Theory and the Ladder of Opportunity provide insights on economic inequality, with the former emphasizing exploitation by the ruling class and the latter showing the impact of early life circumstances on economic outcomes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The blank slate theory, also known as tabula rasa, historically posited by John Locke, suggests that humans are born without innate ideas and knowledge is gained exclusively through experience and perception. However, this philosophical concept does not directly address inequality from a sociological perspective. Instead, methodologies such as Conflict Theory and the Ladder of Opportunity provide a framework for understanding and analyzing inequality within societies, particularly in economic terms.
Conflict theorists, drawing from Marxist thought, perceive economic stability as an illusion that masks the reality of inequality. They argue that the wealthy ruling class, or bourgeoisie, accumulates power by exploiting workers. This perspective points to the disproportionate distribution of wealth, reminiscent of historical and contemporary power imbalances, as an indicator that certain societies, such as the United States, are not true meritocracies.
Moreover, the concept of the Ladder of Opportunity illustrates how inequality can arise from systemic disadvantages experienced by individuals from an early age, leading to vastly different economic outcomes that are not necessarily a reflection of talent or effort. This criticism is in-line with Melvin Tumin's 1953 counter-argument to the Davis-Moore thesis, highlighting the influence of social stratification on limiting opportunities for people, hence exacerbating inequality.