Real equality is experienced associationally and requires consciousness to be real

Evidence

This does not mean, of course, that each member of a society is conscious of such an abstract notion of unity. It means that he is absorbed in innumerable, specific relations and in the feeling and the knowledge of determining others and of being determined by them. — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 169 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Self-consciousness depends on being recognized by another consciousness; Social unity is felt through concrete relations rather than abstract awareness — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 169; Liberated individuals turn from equality toward distinguishing themselves from others — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 535 (+5 more)

Related

• Social unity is felt through concrete relations rather than abstract awareness (similarity 0.86)
• Pretended sociable equality is art-like play, not a lie, until reality intrudes (similarity 0.84)
• Social mechanisms intensify only when applied reflexively to themselves (similarity 0.81)
• Equality achieved becomes the platform for further competition and surpassing (similarity 0.81)
• Liberated individuals turn from equality toward distinguishing themselves from others (similarity 0.80)
• Equality must govern politics even though it is technically a fiction (similarity 0.79)
• Human essence is the ensemble of social relations, not an individual abstraction (similarity 0.79)
• Marx conceived social unity as constructed out of difference, not identity (similarity 0.78)

Broader Connections

• Social unity is felt through concrete relations rather than abstract awareness #corroborates (0.88) — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 169
• Self-identity depends on the trustworthy company of equals #corroborates (0.85)
• Self-certainty requires recognition from the other #corroborates (0.83)
• Pretended sociable equality is art-like play, not a lie, until reality intrudes #qualifies (0.75) — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 378
• Liberated individuals turn from equality toward distinguishing themselves from others #complicates (0.74) — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 535
• Equality must govern politics even though it is technically a fiction #complicates (0.73)
• Self-consciousness depends on being recognized by another consciousness #expands (0.72)