Equality doesn't mean justice

[Yewheng]

Saw this powerful quote from someone who post this on Facebook and decided to share.

 

 

In life every thing we want to be equal, but there are some less privileged human who are being dropped out to being not enjoying as much as others if everything else being equal. So perhaps at times we actually neglected those who are far worst off then us and we should actually provide them not just equal opportunity but lend a helping hand to help them succeed. What say you guys?

[Kklee]

I feel it should be the other way around.

 

[Byteslurve]

[Neost]

In the illustration, all 3 persons are standing up. Hence it says they are all trying their best. And we should give help to the shortest (weakest) person. I agree totally

 

However, in some situation, the person purposely squat down. Hence he becomes the shortest among all. Why should we give more help to this person? In real life we see many such examples.

[Spring]

In the illustration, all 3 persons are standing up. Hence it says they are all trying their best. And we should give help to the shortest (weakest) person. I agree totally

 

However, in some situation, the person purposely squat down. Hence he becomes the shortest among all. Why should we give more help to this person? In real life we see many such examples.

I've an experience to share:

 

I remember when I was in NS years ago and we were told to charge up a hill. Obviously there were some who made it to the top quickly whilst some were struggling including myself.

 

The instructors at the top of the hill asked the quick ones to go down again and they were puzzled. After a couple of times, they told us that it was about teamwork and we should be sharing the load amongst the team so we could reach the top within the stipulated time together.

 

The quicker ones then took it upon themselves to carry the heavier items whilst the slower ones carried lighter items and some even went up without any thing to carry. We made it up as a group eventually within the required time.

 

Obviously, some guys took advantage of the situation but the quicker guys didn't mind and in fact some of them took pride in helping the slower ones and were rewarded when family came to visit and I remember one particularly weak guy introducing the stronger guys to his family and how grateful he was for their help. Their reward: a KFC drumstick each which the family had brought along and another even manage to get the phone no. of the weaker guy's attractive sister! It pays after all!!

 

That said point taken on some guys not putting in their fair share intentionally but life's like that and we can't be withdrawing help just cos of these few, cheers!!

[Vid]

In this dog eat dog world, if you are not "equal" (up to the task), you are eliminated. Too many instances and cruel.

 

Even if given the same opportunity, one may not even be able to grab it due to inability to perform.

 

Equality cannot be achieved. Not in the past, not now, not ever as long as we stay in this capitalist environment. That is the real world.

[Lotr]

what can I say, sometimes it is really every man for themselves, there is no real equal playing field. Those with the means will always have the edge. There is really a lot of competition and That's why living in Singapore is so stressed for oneself and their families also

[Ender]

Illustration is too simplistic to represent real world.

Watching a game is a luxury.The 3 of them should be paying for tix to watch the game to be fair to the other paying spectators.

[Philipkee]

I like to say this. Applicable to nursing, same for life.

 

Is the pie big enough? Example, one job on offer. If I help my ddisadvantaged friend who is also applying for the same job as me, if he gets the job, I lose. Fair?

 

If there aare two jobs on offer and we help each other get the job, we are both happy.

 

MY point is sometimes it is not we do not want to equalise the playing field but if there is only one pie and many vie for it, then it would be difficult to help.

 

A lot of times ppl say it is not how we ffinish that matters but how we run the race. For me, it depends. If I help the disadvantaged by donating money, fine. But if the donation will bankrupt me, should I help? And if iI dun help, is it unfair?

 

There is no perfect justice or equality here. Genes already render us unequal. The pie is only so big. We should just do the best we can and dun be too hard on ourselves on the occasional "injustice".

 

My two cents

[Angcheek]

 

 

That said point taken on some guys not putting in their fair share intentionally but life's like that and we can't be withdrawing help just cos of these few, cheers!!

 

If I am one of the faster one , i would run behind the slower one .

Use the Bayonet and poke their ka chng so they move up especially going up hill 256 .

That hill is one legendary hill to climb hahahaha

[Spring]

As u guys hv correctly pointed out, in the commercial world it's best man wins. No hard feelings n loser has to improve your skills, personality or whatever to win the next race, fair n square!

 

However, if we are talking about society in general then IMO it's abit different. Some guys will be inevitably left behind for various reasons just like my previous army analogy. Most of us tried but due to different fitness levels or whatever, we just couldn't match the better ones not through lack of trying.

Back to society n as its a matter of survival, I believe the capable ones should help the lesser ones to a certain extent not till paralysing the capable ones but just enough to make sure the weaker ones don't get totally left behind n at the same time sustainable for all concerned. I know it's tough but must try as we are all brothers to a certain extent!

Edited April 4, 2015 by Spring

[Celicar]

The Singapore pledge already teaches us both are not the same. Or else both words won't appear, choose one enough.

[Ender]

As u guys hv correctly pointed out, in the commercial world it's best man wins. No hard feelings n loser has to improve your skills, personality or whatever to win the next race, fair n square!

 

However, if we are talking about society in general then IMO it's abit different. Some guys will be inevitably left behind for various reasons just like my previous army analogy. Most of us tried but due to different fitness levels or whatever, we just couldn't match the better ones not through lack of trying.

Back to society n as its a matter of survival, I believe the capable ones should help the lesser ones to a certain extent not till paralysing the capable ones but just enough to make sure the weaker ones don't get totally left behind n at the same time sustainable for all concerned. I know it's tough but must try as we are all brothers to a certain extent!

Like your fitness analogy. It's like chinese don't usually excel in running events. Do we want to level the playing field by making the kenyan start an hour late in a marathon? Life sucks if we are born differently.

[Tigerwoods]

Our National Pledge already address this issue :

 

Base On JUSTICE and Equality so as to achieve

Happiness, Prosperity and Progress for our Nation.

 

Justice comes first before Equality...

[Chucky2007]

Like your fitness analogy. It's like chinese don't usually excel in running events. Do we want to level the playing field by making the kenyan start an hour late in a marathon? Life sucks if we are born differently.

life unfair la.. Other than running faster.. They are also longer mostly.. How about chopping 3 inches shorter also to make it fairer

[Boringchap]

I think we are getting confused with definitions and concepts here. We need to be clear what we mean by equality and justice before we can have meaningful discussions.

 

Example, what is equality? One definition is the state of being equal, in terms of rights and opportunities. We give two persons the same opportunities, will the outcome be the same? Most likely not. No matter how much I train, I can never be as fast as Usain Bolt.

 

Does having equality means that all of us will have the same outcomes? If you want to take it to the extreme, does equality means equality of outcomes?

 

What is justice? The root word is just. What is just? A simple definition is that it is based on what is morally right and fair. So, what is morally right and fair?

 

It gets very deep, as you can see.

 

 

 

Edited April 4, 2015 by Boringchap

[Super366]

The Singapore pledge already teaches us both are not the same. Or else both words won't appear, choose one enough.

Really. I did not notice. Thank you for pointing it out.

 

My two U.S. cents.

 

Our society attempts to provide equal opportunities for all. Our society also definitely tries to provide justice. Still only lawyers know what is justice, it is how well they can persuade for a given desired outcome.

Our backgrounds and characters define our choice. Some attempt to rationalize their choice, some try to use values associated to a profession to rationalize....poor attempt as we need the professionals, the lawyers and orators. Not people out to promote themselves in a society that attempts to give equal opportunity for self promotion...err

 

How about this, say to elect a CEO, to the shareholders, we have a handsome, erudite, respected gentleman with a forceful personality who understands the distinction of morality versus pragmatism. He can get 50 percent of the vote (from women) and this fifty percent can swing another 20 to 25 percent?

Is it fair for a lady candidate to lose the job because she lacks the traits? Is it justice or equality?

It is justice by the shareholders or that both persons had an equal chance.

For those of us, we know both have an equal chance, the lady could have made it more equal by obtaining more resources...or through blackmail.

And that the shareholders understand that if the lady is not managed carefully through perceived injustice, there will be consequences for all. Nasty unpleasant consequences.

 

It is important for any social group to provide a reasonable environ to encourage the belief of equality and justice.

Things become bad when perceptions of social inequality and social injustice abound.

Do not discount a small dog, it is the size of the fight in the dog.

The dog has to ensure it is equal in its own measure. Justifiably treated in its own measure.

The smart pack leader knows and ensures this.

 

Cheers for Easter Sunday.

[Gitanic]

why harp over things that don't exist from beginning of time.

 

just a waste of time.