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What's the definition of "fair"?

What's the definition of "fair"?

  • Any rule made applies to everyone.

    Votes: 6 33.3%
  • Everyone gets the same opportunities.

    Votes: 8 44.4%
  • Everyone is treated in such a way to wind up with similar results.

    Votes: 2 11.1%
  • Everyone leaves everyone else and everyone else's stuff alone.

    Votes: 2 11.1%
  • Personal responsbility.

    Votes: 3 16.7%
  • Whatever’s average.

    Votes: 1 5.6%
  • Grading on a curve.

    Votes: 1 5.6%
  • Nothing is fair, so that’s fair.

    Votes: 4 22.2%
  • Some obvious things were left out of these choices.

    Votes: 7 38.9%
  • This poll has no practical or intellectual value.

    Votes: 4 22.2%

  • Total voters
    18
The way I see it, in that lack of guarantee and structure to define life and its meaning, we are free to define it (and thus our society) for ourselves based on our preference, which is an amazing and exciting freedom.

It's frightening when you consider that everyone else also has the right to define the meaning of life, and their preferences for morality. Look what people are capable of. It would take me less than five minutes to find the most disturbing story about human depravity. People are seriously ****ed up.
 
It's frightening when you consider that everyone else also has the right to define the meaning of life, and their preferences for morality. Look what people are capable of. It would take me less than five minutes to find the most disturbing story about human depravity. People are seriously ****ed up.

Yes, there is certainly a downside to it. Just like everything else in life.

However, a certain segment of the populations are going to be lowlifes no matter the situation, so its probably a wash.
 
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Yes, there is certainly a downside to it. Just like everything else in life.

However, a certain segment of the populations are going to be lowlifes no matter the situation, so its probably a wash.

Is it possible that one day humanity will be "enlightened" like the society depicted on Star Trek? In this imaginary society, the "seeds of criminal behavior" are identified early and somehow dealt with (they never give details how it is dealt with), and the death penalty is considered barbaric. Basically what I am asking is: will rape and torture ever be a thing of the past, or is it apart of human nature? Why does a certain segment of society do those things? My husband says I waste my time trying to understand why people do things, but to me, the only way to prevent a behavior is to understand it.
 
Is it possible that one day humanity will be "enlightened" like the society depicted on Star Trek?

While I certainly believe our morality has improved with increased wealth and education, I personally doubt altruism will be a sole motivator for the majority of people. While altruism exists and is certainly a factor in our decision making, its not often primary for most of us, but anything is possible, especially as we further unlock how the brain works and develop better socialization programs.

In this imaginary society, the "seeds of criminal behavior" are identified early and somehow dealt with (they never give details how it is dealt with), and the death penalty is considered barbaric. Basically what I am asking is: will rape and torture ever be a thing of the past, or is it apart of human nature?

I hope.

Why does a certain segment of society do those things? My husband says I waste my time trying to understand why people do things, but to me, the only way to prevent a behavior is to understand it.

A variety of reasons from trauma, maladaption to modern society, brain defect, to pure bad choice.
 
It cannot be nailed down. We live in a world of legalese or FauxNEWS would not be allowed to advertise "fair and balanced." If it could be nailed down Fox would be sued as partisan and biased and maybe other news organizations as well. However, among consenting adults, it generally means that the matter at hand is unbiased in relation to all pertinent parties. Just an opinion.
 
Unfortunately, the concept of fairness is too subjective to codify or define. It is individualistic. The problem isn't individuals view of what is and is not fair but it's when government or those who are considered (rightly or wrongly) "leaders" of a community, a state or a country start projecting their concept of "fairness" on others.
 
Any rule made applies to everyone.
Clearly not. To be "fair", some people must be forced to provide for certain other people.
Different people, different rules.

Everyone gets the same opportunities.
Clearly not. Certain people have the opportunity to benefit from any number of government programs, while others do not.

Everyone is treated in such a way to wind up with similar results.
Clearly not. To assure 'similar results', some people must be held back whi eothers provided with advantages to make up for their shortcomings.
Holding people back jst so others can catch up is unfair to those who would otherwise do better than they are allowed.

Everyone leaves everyone else and everyone else's stuff alone.
Clearly not. Some people have what they need and some people do not.
Those that do not have what they need must get what they need; if they do so by taking it from someone that has it, they are justified in doing so.

Personal responsbility.
OBVIOUSLY not. How can people who have nothing be expected to be responsible for themselves?
How can hold people with certain defects responible for their actions when their defect causes them to act otherwise?

Whatever’s average.
This, of course, discriminates against those who are not.

Grading on a curve.
Never understood this one -- how does the top score on a test define the standard for passing said test?
 
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