I think we all assume we know what the word equal means because we feel we understand
that 2 + 2 = 4.
If you were standing in line with two other strangers for (say) a meal of steak, and your slice was smaller than the slice the two others received, something in you would want equality. It seems "fair". After your meal, if you were informed that the meat was laced with ricin, something in you would be fighting for inequality (as in "God, I wish my slice was a lot smaller, or I wish the ricin was not on my slice). So you see, context matters.
If you have lived and grown in two or three very different cultures, then some of this comes a lot easier into your understanding.
Briefly, a samurai warrior spent many years looking for a man who killed his master in a cowardly manner. His duty was to avenge the death of his master. When he finally found the man at long last, he cornered him with sword drawn and was about to kill the man as the man begged for mercy. The man, in a final act of uncontrollable desperation spat on the warrior. At that instant, the samurai sheathed his sword and walked away.
What would your ethic have instructed you to do, were you in his place?
If the warrior had killed the man at that instant, it would have been in anger, and it would have violated his ethic and the honor of his master. To kill in anger was not his task.
We use words too easily ..... words like "mutual", "equal", "common ground" ..... as if we really understand to what we refer. :)
Half the time I have no idea what I am talking about. The other half of the time looks out for me. :) |
