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”.