political philosophy

All Men Are Created Equal, but What Does Equal Mean?

a month ago

The phrase 'all men are created equal' in the Declaration of Independence has a complex and debated meaning, rooted in historical definitions of equality.
Samuel Johnson's 1755 dictionary listed multiple definitions of 'equal', including 'in just proportion' (favored by modern liberals for policies like affirmative action) and 'upon the same terms' (favored by conservatives for legal uniformity).
Historical egalitarian claims, from the Bible to ancient Athens and Rome, often coexisted with social hierarchies like slavery and patriarchy, emphasizing intrinsic equality without ensuring equal rights.
In 17th-century England, John Lilburne and the Leveller movement advanced radical equality, demanding universal male suffrage and women's right to petition, influencing later thinkers including Thomas Jefferson.