Equality

[azurelunatic]

I do not dispute that people have a statisitcal tendency towards certain traits from their genetic, social, geographic, political, economic, et cetera, backgrounds. However, the nature of statistics is to flatten the individual out, and only measure broad trends.

While women, say, are statistically likely to display different traits than men, this does not excuse those who assume that because many, or even most, women display a certain trait, that all women will display it. This is the logical fallacy of division. Each individual must be considered with respect to their individual circumstances, regardless of the statistical properties of any broad groups this individual may happen to fall into.

Yes, I realize that it's difficult for very busy people doing a lot to think, individually, about each and every person they encounter. So?

Comments

Actually...

[dragontdc.livejournal.com]

I think it's easy for an individual to treat others as individuals. It is very difficult, however for a compound entity, like a business, government, or even socially defined set of people to address the individuality of people. And there are many who identify with such groups to the extent that they will subborn their own identities to the group-identity. Thereafter, they have much of the same difficulty dealing with individuals as an individual without fearing alienation from teh group they have identified with. That, and it's always easier to let others think for you, and people are lazy.

[boojum.livejournal.com]

Also, polite behavior towards a stranger of almost any category is pretty much the same: don't step on toes, don't yell in face, don't walk into, and so forth.