The Idea
This claim states that universal equality includes femininity and masculinity without any practical distinction in the political and administrative spheres. The meaning here is that the general principle of equality does not remain merely a theoretical declaration, but is assumed to be reflected in public life. This makes the issue one of justice in the distribution of status and rights, not of natural difference between the sexes.
Concise Formulation
Universal equality includes femininity and masculinity without practical distinction
Its Place in the Book’s Argument
This statement serves the book’s argument by showing that the discourse of humanism is not limited to moral abstraction, but extends to the organization of the public sphere. The mention of femininity and masculinity together indicates that equality is tested in practice, not in principles alone. In this way, the claim becomes evidence that human dignity takes precedence over the social differences used for favoritism.
Why It Matters
Its importance lies in revealing a normative dimension in Arkoun’s reading: the issue is not to describe the difference between the sexes, but to refuse to turn that difference into a reason for deprivation or discrimination. This brings the reader closer to the idea that justice is part of thinking about the human being, not an external addition to it. It also broadens the understanding of humanism so that it includes the public sphere, not only the private one.
Brief Evidence
includes the difference between femininity and masculinity without practical distinction includes the difference between femininity and masculinity without practical distinction in political and administrative fields
Reading Questions
- How does the principle of equality become a standard in politics and administration?
- Does the claim point to a theoretical equality or to an equality in practice?
Degree of Documentation
High: the claim appears in a clear location in the book’s material.