What does it mean to be equal?
-
- Posts: 5621
- Joined: Sun Aug 31, 2014 7:39 am
What does it mean to be equal?
Is one of the meanings the right to be treated equal? If everyone were equal, what then? Does this mean we have to give up the right to better ourselves?
PhilX
PhilX
Re: What does it mean to be equal?
Don't be silly. Finish reading the sentence. Equality under the law, equality of opportunity, equal pay for equal work, equal representation in government, equal measures of bran and prune juice, equal and opposite magnetic attraction....
It's never an absolute; it's never a standard, unchanging measure: it is the equality of specified units or entities, within a stated context.
It's never an absolute; it's never a standard, unchanging measure: it is the equality of specified units or entities, within a stated context.
- vegetariantaxidermy
- Posts: 13983
- Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2012 6:45 am
- Location: Narniabiznus
Re: What does it mean to be equal?
Equal rights isn't the same thing as 'equal'. 'Equal' is meaningless when applied to people. 'Equal' in what way?
- Hobbes' Choice
- Posts: 8364
- Joined: Fri Oct 25, 2013 11:45 am
Re: What does it mean to be equal?
This is how I get banned, responding to these sorts of questions.vegetariantaxidermy wrote: ↑Tue Aug 15, 2017 7:53 pm Equal rights isn't the same thing as 'equal'. 'Equal' is meaningless when applied to people. 'Equal' in what way?
[Edited by iMod]
- vegetariantaxidermy
- Posts: 13983
- Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2012 6:45 am
- Location: Narniabiznus
Re: What does it mean to be equal?
I hope you mean the OPHobbes' Choice wrote: ↑Tue Aug 15, 2017 10:46 pmThis is how I get banned, responding to these sorts of questions.vegetariantaxidermy wrote: ↑Tue Aug 15, 2017 7:53 pm Equal rights isn't the same thing as 'equal'. 'Equal' is meaningless when applied to people. 'Equal' in what way?
[Edited by iMod]
- Hobbes' Choice
- Posts: 8364
- Joined: Fri Oct 25, 2013 11:45 am
Re: What does it mean to be equal?
Of course!vegetariantaxidermy wrote: ↑Tue Aug 15, 2017 11:02 pmI hope you mean the OPHobbes' Choice wrote: ↑Tue Aug 15, 2017 10:46 pmThis is how I get banned, responding to these sorts of questions.vegetariantaxidermy wrote: ↑Tue Aug 15, 2017 7:53 pm Equal rights isn't the same thing as 'equal'. 'Equal' is meaningless when applied to people. 'Equal' in what way?
[Edited by iMod]
Re: What does it mean to be equal?
Equal under the law is all it means and that's where equality ends...as if that's anything newPhilosophy Explorer wrote: ↑Tue Aug 15, 2017 3:32 pm Is one of the meanings the right to be treated equal? If everyone were equal, what then? Does this mean we have to give up the right to better ourselves?
PhilX
Re: What does it mean to be equal?
Of course it's not true, has never been true - but at least it's written.
Re: What does it mean to be equal?
...it's only true in print to make constitutions and suchlike scriptures sound noble. When the legal system proclaims "no one is above the law", we all know it's a barrel of bullshit. For the great unwashed, the amount of justice you receive is the amount you purchase from a lawyer. In short, justice is barely applicable if you can't afford it.
Re: What does it mean to be equal?
Yes.Dubious wrote: ↑Wed Aug 16, 2017 4:31 am...it's only true in print to make constitutions and suchlike scriptures sound noble. When the legal system proclaims "no one is above the law", we all know it's a barrel of bullshit. For the great unwashed, the amount of justice you receive is the amount you purchase from a lawyer. In short, justice is barely applicable if you can't afford it.
But its wasn't written just to make a constitution (remember, there are many constitutions, though; Americans tend to imagine theirs is unique) sound noble; in most, if not all cases, the intention was noble. And, because it's written, those who strive for justice have a guiding star, as well as a precedent to follow.