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“The idea of equality”- Bernard Williams

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“The idea of equality”- Bernard Williams Bernard Williams’s paper discusses the idea of equality. He explains that this idea is included in the political discussion under two forms: -statements of fact: men are equal. -statements of political principles or aims: men should be equal. Men are in fact equal but they are not treated equally. According to Williams, the idea of equality of men as generally perceived is false and naive since men are not equal in their abilities and skills. They are however equal by the fact that they are men. Humanity makes them equal. ---> How are men alike? 1. Common equality: The fact that men are equal just because they’re men despite their differences is not trivial but insufficient. There are other common things such as the capacity to express feelings and emotions that we should take into account. However, these characteristics and moral claims can be neglected by ruling groups in certain societies because the group might be distinguished based on other characteristics than feelings/emotions.--> different treatment. On moral philosophy: subjective/evaluative issue. Treating someone differently with the excuse of that being your moral principle is not a relevant justification. (ex.: “But they’re black: and it is my moral principle to treat black men differently from others.”) Less easily definable characteristic of men: the desire for self-respect, the desire to be identified with what one is doing, realize own purposes, not to be the instrument of a role appointed by society. (more details in the part about respect) 2. Moral capacities: Moral quality and the achievement of the highest kind of moral worth. However, moral capacities are different depending on each person (intelligence, capacity for sympathetic understanding...) There’s this theory that argues that the achievement of the highest kind of moral worth should depend on natural capacities (as unequally as they are.) Arguing observation: natural capacities are capable of vice and virtue, moral worth cannot based on it. Kant’s views on moral worth: moral worth cannot depend on contingencies. Also, men are equally rational moral agents just by the fact that they have the capacity to will freely (which is not based on any natural capacities-contingencies.) Men’s capacity of free will earn them respect. Problem with this notion (according to Bernard Williams): to be treated equally as moral agents implies the fact of being held equally responsible over action. However, when men are not treated equally responsible (which is often the case), equality as moral agents becomes irrelevant. And if this notion becomes irrelevant, the idea of respect vanishes as well

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