We humans have an inherent sense of fairness. Deep down, we dont like inequality. In a second extract from his new book, Russell Brand goes in search of ways to build a more just world
Russell Brand speaks: I want to address the alienation and despair
Read the first extract from Russell Brands new book Revolution
When travelling in impoverished regions in galling luxury, as I have done, you have to undergo some high-wire ethical arithmetic to legitimise your position. If you cant geographically separate yourself from poverty, then you have to do it ideologically. You have to believe inequality is OK. You have to accept the ideas that segregate us from one another and nullify your human instinct for fairness.
Edward Slingerland, a professor of ancient Chinese philosophy at Stanford University, demonstrated this instinct to me with the use of hazelnuts. As we spoke, there was a bowl of them on the table. Russell, he said, scooping up a handful, we humans have an inbuilt tendency towards fairness. If offered an unfair deal, we will want to reject it. If I have a huge bowl of nuts and offer you just one or two, how do you feel?
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