Where does 'Equality' Come from?

There is a great deal of debate and talk about equality, but the one question no one ever asks is: what is the origin of equality? By whose standards does equality come from? We seem to think that we can use human standards, however, humans have shown that they cannot agree on what is the meaning of equality. Thus, it appears, that equality cannot be found by using human standards. There must be something else to provide for equality, or else, equality has no meaning.

The Lie about Egalitarianism

The Australian society like to think of itself as one that treats everyone equally. That is the heart of egalitarianism. The term 'equality' is a very ambiguous terms and so are terms like 'empowerment', 'freedom', 'choice' and 'independence'. What is equality? It seems that equality, as it is generally accepted means to treat people the same. To treat people the same means that there is a need to be the same as others, as opposed to being different.

On the surface, it may seem as though egalitarianism, equality and respect is key. However, it has a catch. Its underlying values is based on the idea that people should only treat others in the way one is treated by others. This contradicts respect which involves humility. Being humble is to give up the right to treat others badly when one is wronged by another. 

Egalitarianism simply means that no one should be of a superior position, and thus no one deserves extra respect or reverence. It is true that people do not need to bow down to others, but sometimes, one needs to listen to those in a higher position in the workplace or government because they have the responsibility to lead. 

Egalitarianism leads to individualism - the idea that the individual is paramount. 

Equality: What it really means (2)

Equality, as it is understood in the postmodern world means no differences in the role played in the community or family. However, difference in roles does not mean inequality of social status. It follows from the postmodern understanding of equality that only where there are no difference in roles that people are of equal status, and that no one is a subordinate. No longer does equality mean having an equal chance or access. Equality is the inherent dignity of each human being to be treated the same as others. It is not a mere social construct, but what is means to be treated as a human. Equal opportunities does not mean that social differences between people must be eliminated. A society can be a diverse one, in which different people play different roles to build the community.

Equality: What it really means (1)

Equality is term with strong emotional connotations. We like to fight for equality (more often than not for ourselves, while ignoring the injustices others face), we like to fight for our rights. Only those whose position are regarded as worthy enough to be equal become the subject of such civil rights or political movements. If only some are worthy to be treated as equals, who should they be treated as equals and, more importantly why only some people, not all people? That some are worthy enough to be treated as equals is an oxymoron. Equality is about treating every person with the same dignity and that people are treated based on their behaviour. It is not a matter of having the same roles in the community or family. It is a matter is being treated the same as others on the basis of behaviour, not personal characteristics.

That 'all [people] are equal, but some are more equal that others' accurately describes the true state of affairs, especially of that in the postmodern world. The rights of the poor, the unemployed and the persecuted are often neglected. It has never been, not is it popular to fight for the rights of the poor and the persecuted. How often have you heard of the term "pauper's rights", compared to "women's rights" and "children's rights"? Such terms are coined for political purposes, to gives the movement political ground.

Everyone is equal, right? Not quite so.

Education is the key to employment. Employment leads to a stable society because more people are satisfied with their living standards. Australia has among the highest employment rates in the world. Yet, the rate of depression is among the highest in the world. According to Beyond Blue, 'up to five percent of adolescents experience depression that is severe enough to warrant treatment, and around 20% of young people will have experienced significant depressive symptoms by the time they reach adulthood'. Isn't it ironic? Australia is among the  best providers of tertiary education in the world, but yet there are many who feel that the don't have enough. This is because these people are not satisfied with what they have. When people have some, they want more. When they have more, they want even more. When they have so much, they want the most. Even when they have the most, they feel empty.

Most Australians are educated. However, one being educated does not necessarily make one a critical, independent thinker. It is up to the individual to develop one's own critical, independent thinking. One can still be educated, but ignorant. Many people are ignorant when it comes to understanding other cultures, beliefs and practices.

The slang term used to describe an uncultured person is 'bogan'. That such a term is part of the Australian vocabulary shows that people with no or little education and who do not understand the ways of society for a wide range of reasons, one of which is joblessness, are looked down upon. Society blames unemployed people for their plight. Just because people are jobless does not mean that they are lazy. In many cases, it is just that they had not be able to make the most of such opportunities.

Such terms are used by people to make themselves feel adequate or secure. If Australia is really a society that treats everyone as equals, we would not have such a rude term in our vocabulary.

Postmodernism: Every view is equally valid

One of the core tenets of postmodernism is that every view is equally valid. Since every view of equally valid,  every view deserves equal respect. It is true that every person is equal regardless of race, sex, religion, political belief, physical status or socioeconomic background. However, this does not mean that every view that people have is of equal validity. Radical feminists use the strawman argument (or strawwoman for sake of the political correctness  that they demand) to argue that because women have the right to wear absolutely anything they want to, women should not be blamed for assault. While it is wrong to blame any victim for any harm they suffer, what people wear is nothing to do with the question of whether or not a woman should be blamed. The premise that women have the right to wear absolutely anything is a distractor. Feminists are only trying to use the pretext of assault to justify wearing absolutely anything they want. As much as people have a responsibility to control themselves, people should also not entice people to do the wrong thing.

My warning, from a female perspective, to the modern (Australian) male is that there are many bad women out there who use manipulative, cunning methods to use men for their own pleasure. Where possible, avoid talking to the ones who seem nice, but condone such manipulation. Don't associate with them. They will destroy you.

Postmodernism: Twisting the meaning of right and wrong

Postmodernism has given people the "authority" to make up pretexts about their actions which harm other people. People deny the rights of others on the pretext that their rights would be denied if they had no access to a certain "right". The classic example would be the case of abortion. Radical feminists claim that without the right to access "reproductive health care", women would not be equal with men in terms of income and independence. Therefore, in the view of radical feminists (which is the view of most 21st century feminists), abortion as a choice to have children and control over one's body is a legitimate right. However, what do they mean by equality? I believe that out of all groups, people should be most suspicious of feminists. They never define clearly what equality means. Equality, in my opinion is equal value and dignity as a human being. Equity does not mean  exact material wealth, but rather the absence of sweepingly large disparity between any groups or individuals. People should be free from interference of external factors and free to do as they desire, as long as it does not harm others. Feminists seem to cut off the last phrase because, I suspect, because deep down they know that abortion is wrong. The same phrase-cutting applies to advocates of homosexuality.