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Single Idea 24221

[catalogued under 25. Social Practice / B. Equalities / 1. Grounds of equality]

Full Idea

Equality has its origin in freedom: once one has power over the unlimited faculty of freedom, everyone is equal.

Gist of Idea

Equality is the result of unlimited freedom

Source

Simone Weil (Lect 4: Ethics and Aesthetics [1933], p.182)

A Reaction

Equality seems to result from unconditional respect - so what is the basis of that? We respect rationality, or pain, or mere humanity. If she is implying anarchism, equality seems an unlikely consequence of that.

Book Reference

Weil,Simone: 'Lectures on Philosophy' [CUP 1978], p.182