Discrimination

In part yes, in part no. As human persons we are equal. As for qualities, we are different.

If they are distinct, it is correct to treat them differently. The problem arises when they are partly equal, partly different. Then one must balance treating like as like and different as different. For example, a man without knowledge of Chemistry should not be a professor of that subject, but this does not affect his dignity as a person.

There is discrimination if a distinction is made where there is equality, and if that differentiation is unjust. There is no discrimination if what is truly distinct is distinguished. Nor is there discrimination if justice is not violated.

- Here there are differences in some aspects, but it is unjust to extend those qualities to other cases.

• The woman is different from the man, but both are human beings with corresponding rights and duties. If these fundamental rights are not respected, we face discrimination.
• A human embryo is different from a child and an adult, but they are human persons with all that this implies. There are differences in duties and capacities, but there must be no discrimination as human beings.
• A sick person is different from a healthy one, and will have different work allowances since their capacity for work genuinely changes. But they are not different as persons, and if they do not receive humane treatment we face discrimination.

- Here there are real differences, and it is correct to distinguish:

• Truth does not discriminate against error. It is simply what is true. And the other is not. They are truly different and it is right to distinguish them.
• Goodness does not discriminate against evil. One act is simply good and another is not. They are truly different and it is correct to differentiate them.
• One who chooses does not discriminate. They simply choose. Discrimination occurs only when an injustice is created or maintained.

When there is freedom of choice, it is just to choose arbitrarily what one desires. For example, someone who buys a car chooses the one they want, without this being discrimination against other brands, even if they are better.

There may be several reasons. Perhaps one cause is the exaggeration of an incidental aspect. Examples:

• Racist discrimination: the importance of skin color is exaggerated.
• Nationalist discrimination: the importance of having been born in a particular place is emphasized.
• Qualitative discrimination: between a newborn and an embryo there are differences but not enough to justify killing it (abortion). Between a sick person and a healthy one there are distinctions but let us not exaggerate (euthanasia).

A friend asks me to add something on this topic. These patients have reduced capacities, but they remain human beings, and very affectionate ones at that. They must be treated in accordance with human dignity. For example, abortion in these cases remains a crime. The origin of possible discrimination may be twofold: they need special care; and it is not fashionable to have a child with this condition, since it is trendy to have beautiful children. These discriminations would be of a qualitative type — due to possessing different qualities — or racist if they were suppressed to improve the race.

More examples of possible discrimination in the topic of machismo.