Four Way Test - Part 3
Is it FAIR to all concerned?
What does 'FAIR' really mean?
There are several synonyms for Fair – just; equitable; impartial; unbiased; straightforward; objective.
Fair means showing no evidence of favoritism, self-interest, or indulging our own likes and dislikes, which can be difficult to achieve.
Fairness and equality aren’t the same thing. While equality of opportunity is a cornerstone of fairness, it rarely exists.
Living in Australia provides opportunities denied to many in the world.
Creating equality of opportunity is about raising opportunity for those with little or none.
Rotary service is largely about raising opportunities for those at the bottom, through projects like polio eradication, literacy, or clean water.
Equal opportunity doesn’t lead to equal outcomes.
In Olympic events, the competitors all begin with an equal opportunity to win. Inequality of outcome is a function of talent and effort. We love sports because it showcases talent and effort and offers a chance to prove one’s self - fairly.
Equalizing outcomes to offset unequal opportunities doesn’t create fairness because it ignores effort and talent. It denies an earned reward and saps initiative.
Our perception of fairness can become skewed when we think in relative terms.
If we choose to define fairness in relative terms, we will rarely find it.
Being fair to all concerned won’t eliminate all hardships, but it should distribute hardships according to the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. If what you’re doing to them was being done to you, how would you react?
People are much more willing to bear hardships when they believe it’s at least fair to all concerned
RI President Shekhar Mehta is urging members to become more involved in service projects, saying that caring for and serving others is the best way to live because it changes not only other people’s lives, but also our own.