Posted on 02/08/2010 5:22:18 PM PST by jazusamo
If there is ever a contest to pick which word has done the most damage to people's thinking, and to actions to carry out that thinking, my nomination would be the word "fair." It is a word thrown around by far more people than have ever bothered to even try to define it.
This mushy vagueness may be a big handicap in logic but it is a big advantage in politics. All sorts of people, with very different notions about what is or is not fair, can be mobilized behind this nice-sounding word, in utter disregard of the fact that they mean very different things when they use that word.
Some years ago, for example, there was a big outcry that various mental tests used for college admissions or for employment were biased and "unfair" to many individuals or groups. Fortunately there was one voice of sanity — David Riesman, I believe — who said: "The tests are not unfair. LIFE is unfair and the tests measure the results."
If by "fair" you mean everyone having the same odds for achieving success, then life has never been anywhere close to being fair, anywhere or at any time. If you stop and think about it (however old-fashioned that may seem), it is hard even to conceive of how life could possibly be fair in that sense.
Even within the same family, among children born to the same parents and raised under the same roof, the first-borns on average have higher IQs than their brothers and sisters, and usually achieve more in life.
(Excerpt) Read more at jewishworldreview.com ...
“Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut (short story)
should be required reading in schools.
Fairness in Obamaspeak - Lay down and take it.
I think it only, ‘fair’ that 0bama resign immediately, as he is unfit to command.
Love you, Dr. Sowell!
The only fairness I expect my government to strive for is equal justice under the law, and the more government involves itself with social justice, the less equal justice we get.
God Bless Thomas Sowell. Thanks for the ping jaz.
Fairness in Obamalamadingdongland: Everyone get the same number of inches of government up the backside. Minorities and women get Vaseline.
Dr. Thomas Sowell is one of the few voices of sanity in an insane world.
Marker Bump
Regards
alfa6 ;>}
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LESSON #2: SEE LESSON #1.
The sooner a human being learns the above, and that life is not even a "level playing field," the better.
Ditto.
Absolutely...All kids should be raised with that being constantly instilled in them, then they’ll realize it fast when they go on their own.
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