I
think that's right. Except that there may be some odd cases in which
random treatment is also just.
Think for a minute - there are cases in which everyone is equal
with respect to all of the relevant factors. People who buy lottery
tickets, for example, are equal in all relevant respects. And we can
imagine a group of people in a life boat who are equal in all relevant
respects. But what if there is not enough food and half of the people
have to be put out of the boat?
In cases like these a random distribution of a benefit (like
winning the lottery) or a burden (like being put out of the boat)
would also be just.
But these are not typical cases. In the typical case, I agree that
justice logically requires attention to relevant characteristics and
treating people accordingly.
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