LET'S LIVE WITHOUT HARMING!: LET US BE EQUAL IN RIGHTS AND TREATMENT, THOUGH NOT IN WEALTH

One way to harm others is discrimination regarding rights and freedoms, by granting privileges to some and depriving others of their legitimate rights, as has flagrantly occurred from the Neolithic period until recently between men and women. And, in fact, it still happens in many countries.

Even in advanced countries, a man with multiple sexual adventures is viewed very differently (he is a conqueror) than a woman who does the same (she is a whore)… read more…

In Africa and other parts of the world, there are governments that grant privileges to certain ethnic groups while oppressing others. And in most parts of the world, homosexuals are not given the same rights as heterosexuals, including many first-world countries that still do not recognize same-sex marriage.

Let us be equitable, also in treatment. If we want a person to address us formally or as ‘sir’/’madam’, we must also treat them in this manner, as unequal treatment would be a lack of respect and contrary to their dignity.

Let us avoid attempting to impose reverential greetings, such as bowing the head or kissing the hand, as well as unequal forms of address like Your Majesty, Your Excellency, Your Illustriousness, Your Honor, Your Lordship, Your Holiness, or Your Eminence, as this can be humiliating for the one forced to give them. Respect is earned or lost through integral or abusive conduct, not with pompous titles. Let us learn from the United States, where John Adams proposed addressing President George Washington as Your Majesty or Your Highness, but Congress rejected it, preferring the much more egalitarian address of President of the United States, Mr. President, or Mr. Washington.

Similarly, noble titles are characteristic of archaic societies where conquerors stole land from the vanquished and became aristocrats who subjugated and exploited the latter. They are a remnant of the unjust and backward Old Regime, and therefore should have no place in modern and advanced countries. Again, let us take the United States as an example, where they are prohibited. There was even a proposal, not yet approved, to revoke the citizenship of anyone holding noble titles granted by other countries.

In organizations, let us learn from Nordic countries or New Zealand, where there is little power distance and hierarchy, fostering a fairly egalitarian work environment, always within the limits of efficient company operation.

However, it is not fair for there to be economic equality if there is no equality of effort made and risk assumed. It is theft to try to equalize the harvests of two farmers beyond what is reasonable when one worked 10 hours every day throughout the year and the other only worked 5 hours.

The so-called “social justice” that excessively seeks to equate ants who work many hours, intensely, give their best, and/or save their money for productive investments with cicadas who do the opposite is absolutely unjust. To equalize them in the fruits of what they have done or failed to do, but not in the latter, is an act of plunder.

All of this is contrary to our innate sense of justice, which we share with other species. Experiments have even been conducted with children and chimpanzees, showing that they all found it fair to give the same in the same situation, but not in different situations.

Read LIVE WITHOUT HARMING: Let us be guided by our congenital sense of ethics

For example, a friend of mine’s partner worked as a sales assistant at Zara, earning a rather low salary. To progress financially, during their free time, evenings and weekends, they pursued a Master’s in International Trade, while their colleagues relaxed watching television or doing whatever they pleased.

Through sacrifice, the former was able to complete the Master’s and be promoted to a better-paid position in the Import & Export Department of that multinational. Therefore, from being economically equal to their former store colleagues, they became unequal because their level of effort was very unequal. This inequality is just, and attempting to mutualize their new, higher salary with that of their former colleagues would be a great abuse.

LET US NOT STEAL!: Let us reject institutionalized theft

LET US ALWAYS BE JUST AND EQUITABLE!

Thank you for sharing if you believe these ideas lead to a more decent world to live in.