Pursuing the Meaning of Equality and Liberty (With AI Assistance)

By Ooi Kee Beng, March 2024 Editorial, Penang Monthly

WHETHER WE LIKE to think so or not, modern political thought gained effective sloganic
expression during the French Revolution (in 1789), incidentally around the time Penang was
settled (in 1786) by the English East India Company. No doubt the motto was
institutionalised only a century later during France’s Third Republic, but “Liberté, Egalité,
Fraternité” has served well enough to capture the range of values contested in our times.
The first two came to signify the key values of the left-right dichotomy thereafter. The
right claims “liberté”—freedom—as the necessary value for development and fairness, while
the left considers “egalité”—equality—the defining assessment of social development and
justice.
What about “fraternité”? Given the nation-state format that had enveloped much of
Europe by then, “fraternity” has come to signify national identity and patriotism rather than
human compassion in general.
Now, “egalité”—equality—that is a trickier word. It should not be, since it seems to
be about quantitative measurements. But whenever the term appears, one feels the vagueness
in its import. One wonders what it is that is being measured, and to what extent that
measuring makes sense. When can two persons be equated, and when are we actually
erroneously comparing durians with rambutans?

STEP ONE
But is this about a mere comparison of two things, as impelled by the word, or is something
more subtle being expressed here? Let’s ask ChatGPT what “equality” means:
“Equality refers to the state of being equal, especially in status, rights and
opportunities. It implies fairness and impartiality, ensuring that all individuals are
treated with the same respect and have the same access to resources and
opportunities. The concept of equality is often closely linked with notions of
justice and human rights.”

STEP TWO
Looking at the key phrase “treated with the same respect and have the same access to
resources and opportunities”, I wonder if one could simply insert “fairness” instead, for
clarity. And so, I ask ChatGPT what the difference is between “equality” and “fairness”:
“Equality typically refers to the state of being equal, especially in terms of rights,
opportunities and treatment. It emphasises the idea that all individuals should
have the same access to resources and opportunities, regardless of their
background or characteristics.
“Fairness, on the other hand, focuses on the just and impartial treatment of
individuals, taking into account their unique circumstances. It involves

considering different factors, such as individual needs, to ensure that people are
treated equitably and without bias.”

STEP THREE
This time, two phrases jump out at me. One is on giving “the same access to resources and
opportunities”, and the other is on ensuring that “people are treated equitably”.
“Same access” and “treated equitably”. What do they actually mean? ChatGPT tells
me summarily that “in essence, ‘same access’ emphasises equal opportunities, while ‘treated
equitably’ emphasises fair treatment considering individual differences and needs.”

IN A RUT
We do not seem to be getting away from the misgiving that equating two persons is not an
easy matter. Whenever we provide “same access” to everyone, we still have to see to it that
everyone is “treated equitably”.
To treat people equitably, we cannot just equate them. We immediately see why the
French revolutionaries could not have a one-word motto. They had to balance “egalité” with
“liberté”, the latter being a conceptual vent in the vain venture of equating humans. And
while working out that conundrum, how should the world function? Well, that is where we
need “fraternité”—acceptance of and empathy for each other.
Wondering about the inner workings of these three terms now prompts me to consider
Thomas Jefferson’s words in the American Declaration of Independence (incidentally written
just a decade before Penang was settled by Francis Light):
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that
they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among
these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
“Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Interesting… Why that quaint phrase
“pursuit of happiness”? Why not just “life, liberty and happiness?” Put that way, the answer
seems clear. “Happiness” cannot stand alongside those other two words. It is too subjective
and transient a human condition. But “pursuit of happiness”… that is something else.
“Pursuing” is the key then, poignantly highlighting “individual agency”.

STEP FOUR
I ask ChatGPT the concluding question, and it tells me the following:
“The ‘pursuit of happiness’ refers to the fundamental human right to seek out
one’s own happiness and well-being. It suggests that individuals have the freedom
to make choices and take actions that they believe will lead to their own
fulfillment, contentment and overall satisfaction with life.
“This concept is often associated with the Declaration of Independence of the US,
where it is stated as one of the unalienable rights that all individuals possess. The
exact definition of happiness can vary from person to person, as it is subjective
and can encompass a wide range of experiences and aspirations. For some,
happiness may involve material wealth, career success or achievement of personal

goals, while for others, it may be more about relationships, personal growth or
spiritual fulfillment.
“The pursuit of happiness is not merely the attainment of happiness itself, but
rather the ongoing process of striving for it. It implies the freedom to make
choices, pursue opportunities and overcome obstacles in order to lead a fulfilling
and meaningful life according to one’s own values and aspirations.”
The right and ability to “pursue happiness”—that seems to be the message the revolutionaries
wished to pass down to later generations.
In a roundabout way, we have arrived at a point where the tension between the two terms
is diminished: We need “liberté” to pursue individual happiness, and we need “egalité” to
maximise the ability of everyone to pursue individual happiness.
And finally, all that cannot happen sustainably without an ecosystem—a society—that
values and exercises “fraternité”.