-I-
“No” would be politically incorrect to say. The society that we live in is intolerant to that view. Yet it is worth exploring the ideas of equals and un-equals.
(The society’s intolerance is justified. It rises from the haunting memories of a violent past- the heydays of slavery and other extreme forms of discrimination.)
“We are not the same, but are equal” is an often quoted statement. It acknowledges the fact that people are different and not the same. Except for the similarities that we share as a species, as individuals, the differences are all too obvious- physically, emotionaly and intellectually. Yet we are all equals. Meaning, the “value” of each individual is the same!
What then is the “value” of an individual? How do we measure it? Physical, emotional and intellectual parameters certainly are incapable of determining the value of an individual. That is no level playing field.
So, with half the mind, when we believe that we are all equals, the other half also asks- “but how do I know?”
-II-
If we believe in creationism, that the universe and living beings are “created” by God, then we have an easy answer. “All of us are equal because it is the one God who created all of us and he created all of us equally.” We may replace God with “Nature.” The same argument can be maintained. Yet by that logic, equal status should be equally shared among all things living and non living. But by no means do we (the society that we live in) accept that. Our “we” atmost accepts humankind. Animals and plants born and raised in a country don’t enjoy citizenship rights.
The Semitic religions believe that humans have a superior status because “God willed” so, and all “lesser forms” of creation are created for human enjoyment. These monotheist religions, also are not ready to grant equal status to “infidels” among humans, who violates their conception of God. The eastern religions, at least in principle, accept equal status for all members of creation- living and non living.
-III-
How do I know that we are all equals?
I believe, we can never intellectually “know” that we are equals. Because we are NOT equals by any standards of ‘objectivity’. It can’t be empirically proved. Yet if we claim we are equals, it is ONLY because we choose to ‘believe’ so.
Btw, belief is not a bad word. It is no lesser to logical rationality.
The belief, however, sparks from a deep intuitive feeling of oneness with others. Because, at times, we are able to see ourselves in others!
It is this belief that we are equals that has formed the basis for democracies. The belief is legally protected by a contract- the constitution, and is carefully preserved and propogated through the life of a society, through generations, through education. The idea of ‘human rights’ is but an expression of this belief.
Do I have certain rights as a human being? Yes, I do.
Who has given me these rights?
God/Nature? That will be the route of the religions (creationism/animism).
It is the nation-state (or let us simply say the society) that I live in, that bestows me “my rights.” It is a contract between the citizen and the state. The moment the nation-state collapse, the citizen that I am, is reduced to an individual who is at the mercy of the law of the jungle- the survival of the fittest.
-IV-
Are we ALWAYS able to see ourselves in others?
Are all of us EQUALLY good at seeing ourselves in others?
“NO” is the honest answer. For every Śankarāchārya/Buddha who attain the non-dualistic vision of the world, there are a hundred thousand (human) brutes who cannot sense the grossest expressions of pain in others. Most of us belong somewhere between the extremes.
It must be to acknowledge this reality- the truth about the world, that the eastern religions- the religions based on Dharma, discuss about a ladder of (spiritual) evolution among living beings.
How much do we see ourselves in others?
How far, wide and deep can we percieve this vision?
-V-
If we acknowledge this ladder of (spiritual) evolution, then our whole argument that we are equals again comes under question.
Am I equal to a Śankarāchārya/Buddha?
Politically, as a citizen of a country, Yes.
Socially, as an individual unit of the society, Yes.
But morally, in terms of the non-dualistic vision of life?
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Śrīnāth Mohandās
February 27, 2018
Śrīnāth Mohandās 