EQUALITY AND INEQUALITY IN VARIOUS LITERATURE ASSIGNMENT

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THE THEME OF EQUALITY AND INEQUALITY IN VARIOUS LITERATURE
The concept of equality is much debated, while some praise the need for it, others refute
the concept. The word equality signifies a qualitative relationship. The meaning of the word
equality has been described as two quantities are fair in status, right and opportunities
(Huntington). Ideally when there is sense of uniformity throughout the society and everyone
gets the same opportunity it can be stated as an equal state, the opposite of this state is inequality.
The concept of quality and inequality has been most philosophized and debated on by various
scholars and philosophers all over the world and is evident in many literature mediums as well.
There has always been a political and sociological ideologies regarding the topic of equality and
inequality (Huntington). The focus of the paper is to discuss the topic of equality and inequality
as described and debated by the following philosophers and authors such as Plato, Jean Rousseau
and Shakespeare. The purpose of the study is to compare the various ideologies presented by the
following authors on the topic of equality and inequality.
Plato has influenced western philosophy greatly, especially in the field of politics his
philosophies remain relevant to this day. Plato is one of the oldest philosophers whose
philosophies in politics and remains one of the most influential Greek philosophers. He believed
that conflicts within a society was a natural occurrence and could be harmonized by questioning
and rationalizing the concepts. In his book Republic he has talked about various topics at length
and especially equality and inequality. Plato explores the ethical and political dimensions of

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equality and states that equality and justices are related terms. However, it is difficult to
determine and measure the causes and effects of inequalities (Rousseau). The term equality is
always in comparison to a certain context that is variable and therefore the parameters also
changes. Plato has extensively focused on the need of education and how it is an essential tool in
molding minds. The following statement by Plato from Republic reads, “....the simplest and
most effective methods of turning minds around.” Plato understands the need for education to
bring about equality and thus it will follow by social justice (Awasthi). When people are
educated they understand the disparity within the society and strive to solve the issue of
inequality (Sullivan). Knowledge is a powerful tool to eradicate inequality. When people are not
educated they do not understand if they are being treated fairly and the very concept of social
justice and equality is wasted (Sullivan). The knowledge and education plays an important role
in the understanding of the sense of right and wrong and fighting for their equal just rights (Nel).
In another instance Plato discusses the need for gender equality. “If women are expected to do
the same work as men, we must teach them the same things.” The following quote illustrates
that Plato believed in gender equality. The gender inequality is the most normative feature of
most society especially the patriarchal society where women are considered the inferior sex and
often discriminated against. In plain words there is no equality in the treatment of women
(Awasthi). Plato explains that if women are not given the opportunity as men, they will never be
able to fulfil their roles. Therefore, the education needs to be in the same dynamics as of men if
women are expected to fulfill same roles as men then they should be given the same education
and upbringing as them. Gender discrimination is perhaps the most ancient still prominent
feature in most communities where people are assigned roles right form the moment of their
birth and expected to behave and yet there is always a gendered pressure on women to fulfil

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various roles (Awasthi). Plato recognizes the need to empower the weaker section of the society
so that they can be assimilated to the mainstream. This holds very relevant to the modern context
as well where the existing disparity in gender is a difficult but relevant reality. Therefore it
allows the readers to ponder about the idea of equality and inequality and how it is an issue of
social justice.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau remains one of the most influential philosophers in history. His
philosophies have shaped the modern moral and political thinking to a great extent. He too like
Plato is of the opinion that autonomy and a self-conscious society can be achieved through
education. “Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains.” Famously written by
Jean-Jacques Rousseau which illustrates how everyone is born free but the society’s ideologies,
construct, political ideologies are which that truly hamper the growth of the man (Rousseau).
These aspects confines the man, it is what creates the disparity and it is the reason for inequality
among people. The social construct is the reason why some people have more or less power.
However he stresses these constructs ensure to keep the unequal state so that there is a strife for
freedom (Williams 552-565). “One thinks himself the master of others, and still remains a
greater slave than they.” The following statement illustrates how illusionary power can be. The
social hierarchy spares no one, the construct is mean to add to the power of some however, that
is an illusion. In truth, no one is truly is truly powerful and the paradigm of power shifts always.
This creates inequality, the psychological need for power and the lack of it at the same time
creates a master and a slave (McLendon). Rousseau argues that the true nature of the man needs
to be investigated because it is difficult to uncover the true nature of the man. The need to attain
power to promote ones status and the need to be equal is very dangerous. The inequality caused
in the disparity of the power struggle can have violent consequence (Collins et al). He believed