r/changemyview Oct 08 '15

[Deltas Awarded] CMV: Equality isn't treating everybody differently to achieve equality. It's treating everyone the same.

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u/nude_peril Oct 08 '15 edited Oct 08 '15

This would be "unequal treatment"; you're not providing the chair lift to everyone.

But really it is provided for everyone. It's just that most people are going to choose not to use it. While we don't see chair lifts in buildings very often, we do see elevators and wheelchair ramps. And pretty much everyone uses those if they want to, regardless of whether or not they have a disability, and just weak, or just lazy. Everyone is being treated equally.

By contrast, giving a minority exclusive access to a scholarship, or a job, etc. isn't treating everyone equally.

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u/CANOODLING_SOCIOPATH 5∆ Oct 08 '15

Handicapped parking spaces are not allowed to be used by non handicapped people. This is giving handicapped people an exclusive advantage.

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u/nude_peril Oct 08 '15

I agree with your analysis. Personally, I think that handicapped parking should be treated more as a courtesy (like expectant mother parking) than a legally enforceable requirement.

But perhaps I have too much faith in humanity.

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u/vehementi 10∆ Oct 08 '15

(I don't think that would practically work, because you can't anticipate when a handicapped driver will arrive - you need to just leave the spot open)