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Wherein Lies The Value Of Equality When Equality Is No Longer ‘Natural’?

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Understanding Inequality: Social Costs and Benefits

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Abstract

Until the modern period, the idea that all humans are ‘natural equals’ was largely a legacy of Abrahamic theology. Many 18th century Enlightenment figures believed that the egalitarian spirit embodied in the Christian motto ‘the truth shall set you free’ could be continued with impunity once theology was replaced by science. However, as the 19th century showed, exemplarily by Darwin, this was not to be the case. Our science-based capacities to classify and monitor people at ever more fine-grained levels have only increased, opening the door to new forms of discrimination and even racism. I pursue this matter in relation to the rather different political logics associated with the two major modern forms of egalitarianism: ‘equality of opportunity’ and ‘equality of outcome’, concluding with a consideration of the new challenges posed by the emerging ideology of ‘transhumanism’.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Warwick, UK

    Steve Fuller

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  1. Steve Fuller
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Correspondence to Steve Fuller .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Zeppelin Universität, Friedrichshafen, Germany

    Amanda Machin

  2. Karl Mannheim Cultural Studies, Zeppelin Universität, Friedrichshafen, Germany

    Nico Stehr

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Fuller, S. (2016). Wherein Lies The Value Of Equality When Equality Is No Longer ‘Natural’?. In: Machin, A., Stehr, N. (eds) Understanding Inequality: Social Costs and Benefits. zu | schriften der Zeppelin Universität. zwischen Wirtschaft, Kultur und Politik. Springer VS, Wiesbaden. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-11663-7_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-11663-7_9

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