In the Declaration of Independence, it states that all men were created equal, and those words illustrated by Jefferson would have a lasting effect on America, and to a larger extent, the entire world. The idea that we are all born equal has been ingrained in numerous societies across the world, and many people indeed believe such a value. Many people today believe that we are all born equal, and that nobody is inherently superior or inferior to another.
However, are we really born equal? Some people are born with heritable diseases, which puts them at a disadvantage, others are born with defects, which puts them at a disadvantage, some are born with genes that makes them taller, or genes that better pertain to modern beauty standards than others. Does that make humans unequal?
No, the notion that all men were created equal is fallacious. When we were born, we are given a set of genes which will determine our future, and that would make us susceptible to some things, resilient to others, and give us a set of advantages and disadvantages. Some people are born taller than others, others are born smarter than others, and all of these will inevitably create differences and genetic inequality. If one was born with down syndrome, how are they equal when they have a set of disadvantages, such as a very high chance of low IQ, or lack of many interpersonal skills that are persistent in those without the syndrome. That child with down syndrome, as sad and harsh as it is, is unequal to those without down syndrome.
In conclusion, we are not created equal, we are not born on the same level. Some are better than us, and some are worse than us, but that does not warrant for laws that treat people differently, as it is tyrannical and morally repugnant to undertake such actions.
Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2015 2:28 am
by Shilya
We were born equal, not idendical. Being smart or tall doesn't make you a better person either, and there's no objective scale for someone being inherently - i.e. from birth - better than someone else, only subjective preference.
It seems to me a misinterpretation to think it means everyone is born equal, I interpret it as meaning everybody is declared to be equal under the law.
Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2015 3:35 am
by Risottia
Republic of Coldwater wrote:In the Declaration of Independence, it states that all men were created equal, ...
Then again, people aren't created. But in the common language of the age, "all men are created equal" means "all people are born with equal rights".
However, are we really born equal? Some people are born with heritable diseases, which puts them at a disadvantage, others are born with defects, which puts them at a disadvantage, some are born with genes that makes them taller, or genes that better pertain to modern beauty standards than others. Does that make humans unequal?
No, because it's about having equal rights, not about being clones! Context matters.
Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2015 4:21 am
by Zottistan
No, but they should be treated as such before the law.
Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2015 5:35 am
by Quintium
In my language, we have two different words that translate roughly to 'equal'. It might help a lot with this discussion.
'Gelijk' means equal in the sense of identical, of the same level, the same. This is a descriptive word. 'Gelijkwaardig' means 'of equal moral value, although not necessarily equal'. This is a normative word.
I'm a believer in 'gelijkwaardigheid', not in 'gelijkheid'. I believe we should treat people equally whenever we can, but I do not for a moment believe there to be any equality between different people or different kinds of people. Put a Dutchman next to an Indonesian and you'll see a difference of a foot or so in height. Should they be treated equally provided they're in equal situations with equal behavioral backgrounds? Sure. But are they the same? You can take one look at them and see that they are not the same.
Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2015 5:48 am
by Singaporean Transhumans
"Equal" refers to opportunities and rights of different people being equal, not "equal" at the material scale. (e.g. genes, the body, etc)
Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2015 5:59 am
by West Aurelia
All humans are equal before the law.
Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2015 6:04 am
by Republic of Coldwater
West Aurelia wrote:All humans are equal before the law.
Republic of Coldwater wrote:But are they born equal? That is the question.
They are born equal before the law.
But are they born equal in other aspects, not just the law. Sure, they will be equally treated before the law, but how is it possible for people to be born equally in non-law aspects. "All men were created equal" has been a quote for people to argue that people were born equal.
Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2015 6:15 am
by Ifreann
I guess it shows what they knew when they held those truths to be self-evident.
Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2015 6:19 am
by Liberty and Linguistics
Of course all people don't have equal physical and cognitive abilities. Some people run faster than others, some can do algebra better than others etc. Every human is unique, and we should embrace that. Just because we are all unique, that doesn't mean that we shouldn't treat each other as equals.
Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2015 6:20 am
by Kaztropol
When they say "All men are created equal", it means that there is no real thing, other than Providence, that separates people into royalty, nobility, commoner or serf status.
A rich man and a poor man, one is not inherently different from the other, they are both men, and if circumstances were different, then either could have been in the position of the other.
It is a rejection of the ideas of nobility and royalty.
Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2015 6:25 am
by Aipotu Ruo
It was mentioned earlier that there are numerous physical/mental differences between people. That is true. Each individual has their own set of skills, flaws, beliefs, et cetera, and no two individuals have the exact same of these sets. The element of equality comes in the fact that everyone has skills, and everyone has flaws, and everyone has beliefs. Therefore, people are equal, not in spite of, but because of their differences.
West Aurelia wrote: They are born equal before the law.
But are they born equal in other aspects, not just the law. Sure, they will be equally treated before the law, but how is it possible for people to be born equally in non-law aspects. "All men were created equal" has been a quote for people to argue that people were born equal.
it really doesn't matter how they were born in other aspects, what really matters is that they re4cieve equal rights, and fair treatment by both other people, and the law.
Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2015 6:38 am
by Sklavinia
Singaporean Transhumans wrote:"Equal" refers to opportunities and rights of different people being equal, not "equal" at the material scale. (e.g. genes, the body, etc)
Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2015 6:40 am
by Ashmoria
all "men" should be equal before the law and all "men" should be equal in your eyes. they are not the same.
maybe it would help you to understand if you put the declaration of independence in the context of a world with kings, royalty, nobles, and the rest.
West Aurelia wrote: They are born equal before the law.
But are they born equal in other aspects, not just the law. Sure, they will be equally treated before the law, but how is it possible for people to be born equally in non-law aspects. "All men were created equal" has been a quote for people to argue that people were born equal.
I'm pretty sure it refers to equality before the law, not that we are all literally equal - because we're not.
Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2015 6:45 am
by L Ron Cupboard
Republic of Coldwater wrote:But are they born equal? That is the question.
No it isn't. The wording is created, and that does not have to mean born.
Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2015 7:58 am
by Shigiel
No "men" (it should really be "humans" but whatever) are created equal or unequal. Attributes like equality are not absolute (I might be "equal" to you in terms of running ability, but you might be better than me at cooking, and so on) and as such are socially determined and dependent on which skills we are compelled to acquire, practise and enjoy by our upbringings and by social conditions.
Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2015 8:02 am
by Gauthier
But Some are More Equal than others, right?
Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2015 8:07 am
by Hentar
Humans are not created equal, but we can become equal through socialism.
Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2015 2:04 am