We learn from an early age that life isn't fair, but learn to accept it, cope with it and be pleased that there are people out there who are much worse off than we are. But few ask the question, why isn't life fair?

Life isn't fair partly because of random chance, unplanned events, or 'fate' or 'God' if you believe in that sort of thing, things that generally can't be helped, though their ill-effects can often be helped. However, a large proportion of unfairness is caused by human behaviour- something that generally can be helped.

So, some perceived unfairness can be reduced in extent, but should it be?

1. There's the "some people can have it, so why can't I?" type of unfairness. I contend that we should address some aspects of this type of unfairness- especially inequality of opportunity, by helping give the less well-off access to the same opportunities as the well-off. However, what we must be careful of is the dreaded lowest common denominator policymaking, where we address it by denying everyone access to the opportunities that only some used to have. That's a case where reducing unfairness isn't necessarily good.

2. Then there's the "I want it, why can't I have it?" type of unfairness.

Again, there are cases where I contend this should be addressed, and others where it shouldn't. If people want something that is likely to have harmful effects on themselves/others in the long run, or that is unrealistic, giving them it will create more injustice than it solves.

But otherwise, why shouldn't they have it? In practice, the main reasons why they don't get it are because of the harmful behaviour of other people- or, the enforcement of unjust laws or norms that restrict responsible behaviour as well as irresponsible behaviour. Again, these issues need to be addressed, by getting the balance right between authoritarian rule vs. liberty to do what you want.

The problem with us Brits is that we love to moan about issues, but the second someone suggests doing something about them, we get defensive, and we say "that's life, it's just the way it is" and "there are much worse things to worry about, like the starving African kids, therefore we needn't address them". Injustices don't annoy me in themselves, what annoys me is when injustices happen that can, and should, be avoided, but in practice people are resistant to the idea of avoiding them so they continue to recur.