Discussing thinkers on Equality.

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Equality

Thinkers who generate ideas, thought, and commentary concerning equality often differ on what levels of equality are necessary for a society to function properly.  Philosophers such as John Locke, Karl Marx, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Friedrich Nietzsche either agree or disagree concerning the necessity of equality in a society, as well as the necessity of freedom within a society in some cases.  This essay will examine the thought of the aforementioned philosophers on the subject of equality and the related subject of freedom, and determine how their concepts of equality would influence their thought on modern day issues that are constantly argued in our society, such as affirmative action, campaign finance, and pornography.  This essay will also show how the concept of equality has evolved and grown from an issue of merely political equality, to an issue of socioeconomic equality.

John Locke was a strong supporter of freedom and equality within society.  In his Second Treatise on Government, Locke describes the state of nature as he views it, and makes mention of his thoughts concerning equality and freedom.  Locke states that “ we must consider what state all me are naturally in, and that is, a state of perfect freedom to order their actions and dispose of their possessions, and persons as they think fit within the bounds of the law of nature, without asking leave, or depending upon the will of any other man.”

In addition to this basic freedoms that men in society, Locke also speaks of a condition of equality in his Second Treatise on Government.  Locke believes that there is also a state of equality within the state of nature.  He states that there is “a sate also of equality, wherein all the power and jurisdiction is reciprocal, no one having more than another: there being nothing more evident, than that creatures of the same species and rank…born to all the same advantages of nature…”  Locke believes in the equality of all citizens within a society, regardless of class or any other status.

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Jean-Jacques Rousseau was an extreme supporter of equality within a society.  Rousseau essentially believes that human vice and malice is a direct result of inequalities within a society. Rousseau thinks there are two forms of inequality. The first is natural inequality such as physical differences and the ability to use force.  The second is moral inequality which would mean differences in wealth and social status. The problem of inequality for Rousseau has essentially evolved from the natural inequality to the moral one.  

Rousseau believes that the moral inequality can be eliminated within a society and thus nullify the effects of ...

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