SOME THOUGHTS ON EQUALITY
It is impossible to give a foolproof definition of equality.
Dictionaries define it very briefly in terms of equal rights, status, advantages
and opportunities. But in practice, we find many people more equal than others.
It is right to say that the answer
to whether humans are “truly equal” depends on how you define equality. You
have economic quality, political equality, legal equality, natural equality,
social equality, civil equality, religious equality and even gender equality.
Businesswise, while socialism
advocates production, distribution, and exchange to be owned by the community as
a whole, capitalism supports private actors to own and control property in
their personal interests with the sole
motive of making profit . As for Communism , it rejects private ownership of
land, factories and machinery.
Inequality is a common feature in
the whole world. It is rightly defined as “an unfair situation in which some
people have more rights or better opportunities than other people.” However it
is justified on the ground that talents
differ, so do their rewards.
A rustic justification is cited about the unequal five
fingers of the human hand and the foot.
Then there is the justification through Karma theory, fate, destiny, inheritance, geological locations, availability of material resources and many
other factors.
The French writer and philosopher
M.de Voltaire (1694-1778) said: They who say all men are equal speak an
undoubted truth, if they mean all have an equal right to liberty, to their property,
and to their protection by the laws. But they are mistaken if they think men
are equal in their station and employments, since they are not so by their
talents.
According to the English clergy Caleb C. Colton (1780-1832) : Kings and
their subjects, masters and slaves, find a common level in two places ----at
the foot of the cross and in the grave.
Finally, this short but interesting
quote: Before God, we are all equally wise, and equally foolish.”
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G.R.Kanwal
18
November 2024
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