An advantage is an empirical number , or a measurable quantity of difference . It isn ' t something you get to flipflop around , or arbitrarily decide . i . e . If your friend is 10 cm taller than you , then this is a height advantage . Even if you beat him in a game of basketball it is still an advantage regardless of the outcome of the game . You are confusing advantage and fairness . In the previous example of your friend and the basketball game his advantage was not unfair to you because you can still win , but if your neighbor can ' t beat your friend , then he will say it is an unfair advantage . Who is right your neighbor or you ? Answer You both are right . Fairness is always situational and different for everyone .