Modern equality makes ineradicable natural differences the basis of cruel group conflict

Evidence

Altogether consistently, in contrast to the above cases, extreme individuality has frequently been associated with the doctrine of the equality of all men. It is, psychologically speaking, quite obvious that the frightful inequality into which the individual was born during certain epochs of social history would elicit a reaction along two lines, one leading in the direction of the right to individuality, and the other toward the right to universal equality, since either of these alone tends to be inadequate in the same degree for the broader masses. Only in this dualistic connection can a phenomenon such as Rousseau be understood. — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 687 (#qualifies, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Racial difference can be constructed as antagonism within a single exploited class; Equality plus recognition of difference must avoid both liberal atomism and absolutist community; Successful dehumanizing creates moral exclusion, placing targeted groups outside the scope of moral protection — Dehumanizing Always Starts With Language (+6 more)

Related

• Individuality and universal equality historically arise as twin reactions to inequality (similarity 0.86)
• Modern equality, by removing mediating conditions, makes race relations intractably cruel (similarity 0.82)
• Inclusive universal claims arise from within the particular (similarity 0.81)
• The abstract ideal of human equality secretly serves totalitarian homogenization (similarity 0.81)
• Liberated individuals turn from equality toward distinguishing themselves from others (similarity 0.80)
• True equality among people is impossible due to inescapable uniqueness (similarity 0.79)
• Equality must govern politics even though it is technically a fiction (similarity 0.79)
• Individual uniqueness as a value denies equality rather than grounds it (similarity 0.79)
• The eighteenth century equated individuality with freedom and assumed natural human equality (similarity 0.79)
• Unlimited individual freedom breeds new repression through natural inequality (similarity 0.79)
• No institution can fully reconcile social uniformity and individual differentiation. (similarity 0.79)

Broader Connections

• Individuality and universal equality historically arise as twin reactions to inequality #qualifies (0.82) — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 687
• Racial difference can be constructed as antagonism within a single exploited class #expands (0.78)
• Equal-lives rhetoric masks a new hierarchy between nationals and foreigners #exemplifies (0.75)
• Bitterest conflict arises between those formerly most alike. #exemplifies (0.75) — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 320
• Equality plus recognition of difference must avoid both liberal atomism and absolutist community #qualifies (0.72)
• Racism shows natural affinity with anti-modern emotions #exemplifies (0.72) — Zygmunt Bauman, Modernity and the Holocaust, 181