As many political writers have pointed out, commitment to political equality is not an empirical claim that people are clones.

In this quote, Steven Pinker, a renowned cognitive scientist and linguist, emphasizes that the commitment to political equality does not imply that everyone is exactly the same or that all individuals are clones. Political equality refers to the idea that all people should have the same rights and opportunities, regardless of their differences. Pinker is arguing that this principle is about ensuring equal rights and opportunities, not about erasing the natural and inevitable differences among individuals, such as in abilities, preferences, or backgrounds.

Pinker acknowledges that many political writers have discussed this issue, highlighting a common misunderstanding. Some might mistakenly believe that advocating for political equality means expecting people to be identical or that differences in intelligence, skills, or traits are irrelevant. Instead, Pinker clarifies that the goal of political equality is to treat everyone fairly, irrespective of these individual differences, ensuring that all people have equal access to opportunities and rights in society, rather than forcing uniformity.

This quote challenges a potential misinterpretation of equality, making it clear that advocating for equal treatment does not mean ignoring diversity or denying that people have different talents, challenges, and qualities. Political equality, therefore, is about justice and fairness in opportunities and treatment, not about eliminating the diversity that makes people unique. It’s a call for a society where differences are respected, but rights are universally upheld.

Ultimately, Pinker’s statement is a defense of the concept that equality in a democratic society should be grounded in fair treatment, not in the eradication of individual differences. His quote invites us to reconsider what equality truly means: it’s not about sameness, but about ensuring that all individuals are afforded the same respect, opportunity, and protection, regardless of their inherent differences.