I have to admit that it does sound like an interes...

2004-08-13T10:55:00.000-04:00

I have to admit that it does sound like an interesting piece. To an extent, I suppose that we are all relativists to some extent and compare ourselves to those around us, those we see as our peers. This is probably especially true in the United States where a "keeping up with Jones'" mentality has long been the battlecry of millions who need more to show their worth. This could be a sign of American feelings of inadequacy or it could be that American culture is a consumer culture where a lot of value (and consequent self-worth) is placed on what you have. Along those lines I suppose that it is also fair to say that if there is true equality then there are no real excuses for not "keeping up" with your peers.

Here's where I take issue with the article though. Even if no system is as rigid as a class based system there are always inherent differences between people and consequently no one is truly equal. Admittedly, being held down within a class system provides a much better excuse but you still have a group of peers and can fail relative to them.

I would also contend that just because you have an excuse for why you're not as good as others (regardless of it's because of a hierarchical system or because you have bad genes or because you're just lazy) doesnt' necessarily give you peace of mind. Consider the fact that feudal systems used to cover most of the globe. Yet people weren't so content with their lot in life as to just accept their place and consequently we had economic and political revolutions. It seems much more likely to me that cultures which are collective in the way they are run are much more likely to have peace of mind than groups in a strict hierarchy.

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I have to admit that it does sound like an interes...