Is it fair that some people are more valued by society than others? By the way, how do we express this merit? Arguably, it is expressed in remuneration/ wealth – but there are measures that seem completely different to wealth. For example, bravery on the battlefield is rewarded by the issue of citations and medals; societal contribution (at least in the UK) is recognised by civic awards. And wealth is shared, unequally, by diverse means. Is it really right that people be rewarded simply because they’re good-looking (like models), or that people born into wealthy families should enjoy special privilege? Is it right that people should become wealthy through the exploitation of others? Who knows? I certainly don’t, even though I’m arguably one of the lucky ones in the world, born and raised in a wealthy country, with a decent education and so on. Contrast my position even with those less privileged in the UK and it doesn’t seem very fair. How can I own a home, when there are homeless people in every city? It’s almost (but not, I suspect, quite) enough to make you want to give up. Life’s not fair, is it? But shouldn’t it be?