Thursday, February 19, 2009
Random Thought #6 : In all fairness
Who came up with the concept of fairness and equality? Who thought of an egalitarian society? From what I know of, this fundamentally flawed world has never been fair or equal, and I don’t think it ever will be. Quite often we use the phrase “double standards” ,contemptuously, but, when in fact , that is what the normal standard are like . It seems as if the tendency to not use the same yardstick (within the right context) for everyone/everything is in every human being. We all are partial; some exhibit that trait consciously, some subconsciously; everyone has his/her own axe to grind. Time to revise the definition, I guess. We have on side, a set of people fighting for fairness, justice and equality , and then those, who are unwilling to level the field. It is like a never ending tug of war .There are times when words like objectivity, impartiality, etc. seem like nothing more than foolish Utopian ideas. Once again, the dichotomy. It is like a pattern. Always there, in almost everything. Why?
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13 comments:
''There are times when words like objectivity, impartiality, etc. seem like nothing more than foolish Utopian ideas. Once again, the dichotomy. It is like a pattern. Always there, in almost everything. Why? ''
Because we are humans perhaps?Mere mortals?And in a world thats completely insane its the height of praying/wishing to ask/pray/wish for an egalitarian society.
Scholars since ages have been asking this question.from Plato to Socrates to so many sages in India itself.....and yet so many centuries later we are still nowhere close to an answer.
PS:-good to see you back...with your usual probong and deep questions.:)
thats probing..:)
You are right, the world has never been fair or equal, and it never will be. And yes, we all are partial and have different yardsticks for different people or situations. Perhaps we turn life into a series of compromises instead of planting our feet firmly on the ground and taking a stand.
"We all are partial; some exhibit that trait consciously, some subconsciously; everyone has his/her own axe to grind."
Why are we like that? Human nature.
wow that was deep.
We hardly ever judge people on the same standards that we do ourselves, and rightly so, since each one of us is different.
We don't need equality, what we need is respect for differences, acceptance and tolerance.
I don't think you and I are equal, but that does not mean I chastise you, or criticise you. i accept you for being different from me, and like you all the same. That is the only thing that will work, equality is nonsense because we are all uniquely different.
Fundamentally flawed world? No. It was never meant to be "equal"...it cannot be. But that does not mean that it cannot be fair. Now the problem is in the definition of "fair" and that varies across societies and religions...it is all subjective. For the Taliban, putting women into a blue sack is "fair" and into a bikini unthinkable; for the Saudis treating them legally as the property of men is fair and their equal heretic. For the Muthaliks of the world, not having women drink in pubs is fair, for others it is unacceptably unfair.
For the communists, everyone is 'equal' and for capitalists the opposite holds true.
Objectivity and impartiality do not exist in a vacuum; the social context determines them often. Then comes the question: are the rules of society right? And then we find there is eventually no final answer...the answers keep changing as society does...
Humans are not and never will be equal but as Goofy Mumma says, as humans we expect tolerance and acceptance...Every one has a right to be on this planet, not just a few...
Good to see you back!
Nice to see you back.
They might be utopian, but I think they're worth fighting for.
Cheers,
Quirky Indian
The main problem with the world is that we are all Humans!!! and we are all selfish.... :)
So the commies cannot be pure commies and the capitalists cannot be pure capitalist... and that is double standards start...
@Indyeah
Yes, it is an age old question .
@Sagarone
Very well said Sir.
@Solilo
Of course , Human Nature .
@Goofy Momma
Brilliant words . Not at all Goofy . You should change your handle . :)
@Vinod Sharma
That was a good answer Sir . Fairness , according to you , is a dynamic concept , subject to the context . Interesting perspective .
@Bones
I guess everyone has .
@Quirky Indian
They are worth fighting for , to those who fight for them .
@Ajit
I guess being selfish is integral for our existence . How will a completely selfless person survive in this big bad world ?
@Indyeah,Bones,Quirky Indian
You guys say that its nice to see me back . Was I gone that long ?
Seemed like it!
Quirky Indian
I agree with Goofy Mamma, Bones and Quirky Indian.
Maybe we all cannot be equal but we can be treated with equal fairness and tolerance (etc).
Utopia may be foolish, but since we are only human we never cease to dream. And perhaps our foolish dreams may make the world a little better, even a particle is an achievement! :-)
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