Philosophy Now Forum

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

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.

Equal rights isn't the same thing as 'equal'. 'Equal' is meaningless when applied to people. 'Equal' in what way?

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?

This is how I get banned, responding to these sorts of questions.

[Edited by iMod]

Hobbes' Choice wrote: ↑Tue Aug 15, 2017 10:46 pm

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?

This is how I get banned, responding to these sorts of questions.

[Edited by iMod]

I hope you mean the OP

vegetariantaxidermy wrote: ↑Tue Aug 15, 2017 11:02 pm

Hobbes' Choice wrote: ↑Tue Aug 15, 2017 10:46 pm

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?

This is how I get banned, responding to these sorts of questions.

[Edited by iMod]

I hope you mean the OP

Of course!

Philosophy 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

Equal under the law is all it means and that's where equality ends...as if that's anything new

Of course it's not true, has never been true - but at least it's written.

Skip wrote: ↑Wed Aug 16, 2017 3:58 am Of course it's not true, has never been true - but at least it's written.

...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.

Dubious wrote: ↑Wed Aug 16, 2017 4:31 am

Skip wrote: ↑Wed Aug 16, 2017 3:58 am Of course it's not true, has never been true - but at least it's written.

...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.

Yes.
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.