Abstract: After a preamble on the choice of space (variable) and evaluative purpose, the matter of whether a person's position in terms of achievement should be judged positively (as level of achievement reached) or negatively (in terms of shortfall compared with possible maximal achievement) is addressed. It is noted that the welfare economics literature on inequality has typically overlooked human diversity in terms of this maximum potential. The rest of the chapter examines and contrasts the evaluation of inequality in terms of (1) justice and (2) welfare.

Keywords: achievement, assessment, equality, human diversity, human potential, inequality, justice, welfare economics,