Random Walk in E-Learning
Albert Ip,
Jan 31, 2005
Albert Ip ventures into that quagmire known as ethical theory and lands in a particular fen known as Rawls' A Theory of Justice. This work, a foundation for contemporary liberalism, advances along two lines: first, that the origin of justice is to be found in a 'social contract' that would be drawn by a community working without knowledge of their eventual place in the community; and second, the theory of 'justice as fairness' that would be the result of any such deliberations. Now basing a theory on a social contract is risky, and doing it counterfactually riskier still, as evidenced by the question of whether those in the original position would seek to maximize their gain should they end up on top, or minimize their loss should they end up on the bottom. On this rests the question posed by the paper being reviewed by Ip, which suggests that afforts to address the digital divide should favour the disadvantaged. I still think the best approach along these lines was stated by the Tasmanian government, that "Everybody should have a fair go." It defines a starting point without reaching the absurd conclusion that, because one 40 gig connection exists, that everyone should have one.
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