1. Natural inequalities are considered to be the result ofthe different characteristics and abilities with which people are born. It is generally assumed that natural differences cannot be altered. 2. Negative liberty' seeks to define and defend an area in which the individual would be inviolable - in which he or she could 'do - be or become' whatever he or she wishedto 'do - be or become'. 3. Social inequalities on the other hand are those created by society. 4. Certain societies may - for instance - value those who perform intellectual work over those who do manual work and reward them differently. They may treat differently people of different race - or colour - or gender - or caste. 5. Differences of this kind reflect the values of a society and some of these may certainly appear to us to be unjust.