The Roots of Equality

Lantz Miller

doi:10.5771/9781666914870

The Roots of Equality

Anthropological and Normative Sources

1. Edition 2023

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doi.org/10.5771/9781666914870
ISBN print: 978-1-6669-1486-3
ISBN online: 978-1-6669-1487-0
Lexington, Lanham Lexington, Lanham

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Abstract

For centuries, thinkers have grappled with the mystery of how humans first formulated the notion of equality. The species is quite territorial and, according to history, has demonstrated a violent streak. How could such a creature have developed the peaceful impulse to ensure everyone gets their fair share?

Some have surmised that equality was a last-gasp measure: the guarantee of peace to avert self-annihilation. However, a closer examination of the phenomenon across the existence of Homo sapiens illuminates a naturalistic solution to the puzzle. Lantz Miller traces the early advancements of our species to argue that, rather than concocting equality to forestall self-annihilation, it was forged through a lived condition of freedom over hundreds of thousands of years. Bringing together insights from both philosophy and anthropology, The Roots of Equality: Anthropological and Normative Sources investigates how our foraging ancestors came to thrive in egalitarian communities without sacrificing autonomy along the way.

Schlagworte

archaeology autonomy cultural anthropology social philosophy physical anthropology political anthropology value theory metaethics global justice naturalism human evolution

Chapter Expand | CollapsePage
Preface
- Contents
1–10 Introduction: The Normative Motivation Behind This Descriptive Investigation 1–10
11–17 1. How and Why Naturalism Can Aid Delineating What Equality Consists In 11–17
18–48 2. The Equality Debates: A Very Brief Sketch of the Philosophical History of Equality 18–48
49–94 3. The Natural History of Equality: What Philosophy Can Learn from Anthropology’s Study of Egalitarian Societies 49–94
95–122 4. The Natural History of Equality: The Onset of Inequality 95–122
123–168 5. Equality and Justice: The Social Construction of Justice in theInegalitarian State 123–168
169–187 6. EqualityA, Autonomy, Freedom 169–187
188–232 7. Equality in the Contemporary Context 188–232
233–244 References 233–244
245–250 Index 245–250
251–252 About the Author 251–252

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