As it’s a political document, and not a medical text that it should discuss genetics, I think it’s supposed to mean “equal in deserved political importance”
But then should it not say “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created politically equal …”?
I don’t know, rhetorical flare? He was trying to rally people around a cause not precisely define a PhD thesis. You have to be densely literal-minded to not realize Jefferson was talking about political and moral equality—not any other kind of equality.
I think the right way to interpret most ‘declarations’ is as illocutionary acts. Jefferson is basically saying “If you try to deny us political equality, these enumerated rights and the freedom to start our own nation we’re going to shoot you with these here muskets.”
Jefferson is basically saying “If you try to deny us political equality, these enumerated rights and the freedom to start our own nation we’re going to shoot you with these here muskets.”
Or… “Look at me! Look at me! I’m saying catchy slogans that elicit positive political sentiment. Let me be the boss! Me!”
To be fair, it’s not an entirely empty political slogan. He’s offering to set up a system where he’ll have a chance at being in charge, but there will be some limits on how much in charge he will be.
But then should it not say “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created politically equal …”?
I don’t know, rhetorical flare? He was trying to rally people around a cause not precisely define a PhD thesis. You have to be densely literal-minded to not realize Jefferson was talking about political and moral equality—not any other kind of equality.
But they weren’t. People had to fight damn hard to gain political equality, such as it is! How about “I say people deserve political equality!”? :P
I think the right way to interpret most ‘declarations’ is as illocutionary acts. Jefferson is basically saying “If you try to deny us political equality, these enumerated rights and the freedom to start our own nation we’re going to shoot you with these here muskets.”
Or… “Look at me! Look at me! I’m saying catchy slogans that elicit positive political sentiment. Let me be the boss! Me!”
To be fair, it’s not an entirely empty political slogan. He’s offering to set up a system where he’ll have a chance at being in charge, but there will be some limits on how much in charge he will be.