Society And its Purpose
Book 1 - Society
CHAPTER 8
Social equality
109. Observations similar to those noted above must be made about social equality. It is certain that the very essence of society posits an element of equality between the associates. But we need to pay great attention to forming an accurate concept of the equality discussed here. Just as social freedom is correctly conceived by a comparison between the bond of society and that of seigniory, so a similar comparison shows the nature of social equality. There is no equality between master and servant; the servant, as servant, is merely a means for which the master is the end. Here, means and end differ essentially and infinitely. On the other hand, all the persons composing a society are end, none of them means, and as such they do not differ essentially; they are essentially equal. Social equality consists precisely in this.
110. Finally, let us apply this teaching also to the most extensive of all societies. The divine Legislator began the task of its foundation by emancipating human beings from the slavery of fault so that, as free people, they might all be equal, having end as their raison d`être, not means. St. Paul, after baptising a fugitive slave, returned him to his master, commanding the latter to receive the man no longer `as a slave, but as a beloved brother’, and added: `So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me.’(29) Here we have social equality; the bond of seigniory has changed into the bond of society.
Finally, just as social freedom does not destroy the obligations of the members, so social equality does not prevent the presence of accidental differences among them. These differences must be examined more carefully in the following chapter.
Notes
(29) Philem 17.