If restricting freedom and equality make the world a better place, is it okay to restrict freedom and equality?

[Anonymous]

Sometimes I think people become too obsessed with words and abstract concepts. They lose sight of what is actually good for the world. What do you think?

Yes, sometimes it is okay to restrict those concepts.

Sometimes it is okay to restrict freedom, but it is never okay to restrict equality.

Sometimes it is okay to restrict equality, but it is never okay to restrict freedom.

It is never okay to restrict freedom or equality.

[DrPepper12]

Collective action is necessary at times. To live in civilized society it's necessary for the individual to enter the social contract and limit individual liberties. That's the price of admission whether you agreed to it or not. If you disagree go hang out with Ted Kaczyinski & write your manifesto in a cabin in the woods. Take Thoreau with you for reading material when you get bored...

[Asker]

What about equality? Can that ever be limited?

[DrPepper12]

Yes. Equal is not always best. Equity is.

[Asker]

How do you define equity? Is it ever okay to restrict equity?

[DrPepper12]

No that's the point.

[Asker]

Imagine the following scenario: You live in an area with disadvantaged children who lack access to a good school. In order to achieve equity, you bus them to the school. But school buses and bus drivers are expensive. In order to save money to pay for the buses, you have to fire your lone math teacher, so math could no longer be offered. Do you stop teaching math or restrict equity?

[DrPepper12]

False choice. Reallocate resources or raise more revenue are options.

[Asker]

I did suggest relocating resources, specifically from math. Anyway, this is all hypothetical. In my opinion, I have constructed a scenario where it is okay to restrict equity. In this case, it is when doing so leads to less mathematic knowledge.

[SmokinAces2000]

How would restricting freedom and equality make the world a better place? That’s not even a good hypothetical because there’s no scenario where that could even possibly happen.

[BarryLiverstone]

Boarding an airplane. The passengers and pilots are not equal, therefore the passengers cannot access the cockpit. Also the passengers cannot freely carry guns aboard.

[Asker]

There were a lot of restrictions of freedom during Covid. Many people thought this was good.

[BarryLiverstone]

In selected situations it’s ok.