[MD] The MOQ's First Principle

[craigerb at comcast.net]

[Ant McWatt asks]
> Why the severe editing of Dave's relative short reply here, Craig? It 
> doesn't help with following the conversation! 


Ant, dmb & Arlo,
Sorry.  Since Dave [dmb] was wondering if I was saying or suggesting anything by my question & I wasn't, I thought it would be misinforming to repeat the details of what he asked.  In any event, Arlo has provided the answer I was looking for (see the relevant conversation that follows).

[dmb] 
> A society guided by intellectual principles should treat inequality as a 
> tragedy and crime. 

[Craig to dmb]
Does a society which rewards those who should be rewarded & punishes those who 
should be punished, exhibit equality or inequality?


[Arlo] 
> I don't think you can answer that, as I think it depends on how (and 
> who) that society determines who should be punished and who should be 
> rewarded. And in what forms that rewarding and punishing takes. 


My point exactly.  Treating inequality itself as a crime is dangerous.  It can lead to exterminating those who are different (e.g., Jews, Gypsies, homosexuals.) 

[Arlo] 
> For example, suppose society A holds that race is a determinant in 
> deciding who gets rewarded and punished. We'd hardly consider that 
> "equal"

Or into university.  Do I sense an emerging right-winger?
Craig