equality or not – that is the question

[AntonioLao]

Are there equality in the absolute sense of the word? Or in a lesser vein, can there be relative equality? In mathematics, two numbers are equal if their difference is zero assuming both positives. If one is negative then equality is determine by the zero difference of their absolute values. For vector quantities, their magnitudes can be equal while still each vector holds a unique direction in space-time.

[mkirkpatrick]

Are there equality in the absolute sense of the word? Or in a lesser vein, can there be relative equality? In mathematics, two numbers are equal if their difference is zero assuming both positives. If one is negative then equality is determine by the zero difference of their absolute values. For vector quantities, their magnitudes can be equal while still each vector holds a unique direction in space-time.

Yes there is equality in the absolute sense
of the word.in the relative sense there is also equality,but it is not sensed to
be,there seems to be a glamour blinding the onlooker?
kind regards michael.

[AntonioLao]

Yes there is equality in the absolute sense of the word.

Could you please provide an example to go with this assertion. Thanks.

[apuasua]

Could you please provide an example to go with this assertion. Thanks.

Couple years ago, this was the question that I discussed with my IB student. We have thought about two months and we concluded that there cannot be two things which are totally equal with all properties of them. So, equality is relative and is related with the aspect you look.

Even now, I think on this question if I remember, in a bus, at walking, eating...
And I am still very curious on this question, too. If somebody finds an example, please share...

Regards...

[mkirkpatrick]

Could you please provide an example to go with this assertion. Thanks.

Yes.Absolute equality applies to All life.Life by
its very nature Aliveness,is equal,how could it possibly be otherwise?To say
otherwise would imply that somethings are less than otherthings,and that
is absurd if you accept that we are talking about life,of course thisis at the
inner,essence of it,outwardly ofcourse you could say that youhad more
freedom of movement than say a cactus plant,but you would both be equal
in that you were Life!

kindest regards michael.

[TinyTree]

It seems there are multiple definitions of equality.

1) Within an idealized framework, can we consider to things equal? If we define in an idealized framework that two things can be, or are, equal, then they are equal, by definition. However, this may not be what you are getting at.

2) Are there equal things within the physical environment? Now we seem to be asking- is the physical environment composed of items that exist as a form of an idealized framework? Is physical reality a manifestation of a platonic ideal? For instance- are any two atoms actually the same? It seems that they may or may not be- but this is the heart of your question, at least in the simplest form. If an atom has a "half life" and may decay, is it the same as another atom which was formed at a different time, but is the same in all other respects? I am not sure what physics say about these two atoms- is one more likely to decay than the other because of different initial start times, or not? Perhaps this answer is unknown as well.

Now as soon as you consider a larger object- say a penny- are any two pennies equal? Obviously they are microscopically different. But as far as their interaction in the environment, it would appear that they are identical for human purposes. If the penny only functions within the human sphere, perhaps they are identical after all.

[mkirkpatrick]

It seems there are multiple definitions of equality.

1) Within an idealized framework, can we consider to things equal? If we define in an idealized framework that two things can be, or are, equal, then they are equal, by definition. However, this may not be what you are getting at.

2) Are there equal things within the physical environment? Now we seem to be asking- is the physical environment composed of items that exist as a form of an idealized framework? Is physical reality a manifestation of a platonic ideal? For instance- are any two atoms actually the same? It seems that they may or may not be- but this is the heart of your question, at least in the simplest form. If an atom has a "half life" and may decay, is it the same as another atom which was formed at a different time, but is the same in all other respects? I am not sure what physics say about these two atoms- is one more likely to decay than the other because of different initial start times, or not? Perhaps this answer is unknown as well.

Now as soon as you consider a larger object- say a penny- are any two pennies equal? Obviously they are microscopically different. But as far as their interaction in the environment, it would appear that they are identical for human purposes. If the penny only functions within the human sphere, perhaps they are identical after all.

Wee all have to spend a penny
sometimes Tinytree!
kindestregards michael

[harmonygirl]

Maybe the key to equality or equity is in how we define value? using the penny example, they are all equal, because their individual values are all equal. doesn't mean their the same. What if one penny was given from a mother to her daughter right before the titanic sank and only the daughter survived? Different value. Therefore not equal. this is why I love the Mandelbrot. Instead of thinking in terms of equations (which can be misleading), we need to retrain to think in terms of becoming.

[AntonioLao]

Equality could be separated into qualitative and quantitative aspect. There should be general agreement that qualitative equality is possible such as freedom and human rights. But quantitative equality is very difficult to ascertain or to measure.