How to be absolutely fair Part I: The Fairness formula

Abstract

We present the first comprehensive theory of fairness that conceives of fairness as having two dimensions: A comparative and an absolute one. The comparative dimension of fairness has traditionally been the main interest of Broomean fairness theories. It has been analysed as satisfying competing individual claims in proportion to their respective strengths. And yet, many key contributors to Broomean fairness agree that 'absolute' fairness is important as well. We make this concern precise by introducing the Fairness formula and the absolute priority rule and analyse their implications for comparative fairness.