The course starts with the general question of why (or if) equality matters. It then introduces some of the major debates in the contemporary literature on equality. These debates include: the appropriate metric for making comparisons between persons; the difference between equality, priority, and sufficiency; and the relationship between equality and justice. Throughout the course, and particularly in the latter half, we consider concrete social problems and dilemmas faced by those who are committed to the ideal of equality. In addition to other topics, the course will consider the value of access to health and the implications for equality when there is social segregation according to class, race, and other groups.