Opinion | Autonomous Nature Of Some Social Evils

A famous philosopher denied the institution of all inequalities, except one. Karl Marx, who said that there are only two divisions in the society, that are rich and poor. But, if Karl Marx was right, then why do we have a discipline called sociology with lakhs of students holding bachelor’s and master’s in it? Economic inequality that emerged with industrialisation  is a recent form of inequality. Had Marx been born in pre industrial time, he would have been an eye witness of different discriminations that existed before him.

Socio-economic prosperity has always been seen as a tool of eradicating social evils. Agreeing to the above statement, the same however can’t eradicate all of the existing social evils. Some evils are of Autonomous nature. Which means that Educational and Socio-economic prosperity can merely make an impact on the roots of such social  evils.
The Economic prosperity neither has, nor can make an impact on the strong roots of Caste System and Gender inequality in our society. Man will reach on mars, residential areas will be on the moon, yet caste and gender inequality will be still there. Being Autonomous evils, the above two are to be dealt with in a strategic manner.
Some evils like economic inequality and drug addiction are changeable with circumstances, and erasable with effort. I have seen many drug addicts who with the help of experts, counseling and their own inner strength abandoned addiction and started a new life. They have also succeeded in restoring their respect in the society. A poor man working hard gradually becomes rich and becomes at par in terms of income with the rest of the people.
But, for Autonomous evils, reformation is a little tougher. Economic prosperity and Education does rarely make an impact on their strong roots in the society. For example, apparently an educated bridegroom is expected to say no to dowry. But, the reverse is the case in some areas. His father proudly says to the family of bridge that my son is a government employee, has done this degree, therefore i will take more dowry. Has Educational and Socio-economic prosperity made any impact here? Absolutely not!
Similarly, with regards to the caste system. If someone with a good job, handsome earning, and well characterized boy of lower class approaches the father of a higher class for marriage. Usually, the father of the girl denies it. He will rather marry his daughter to a less earning boy, but from his own caste. This is the decision of an educated father. Has any sort of prosperity made a change? Absolutely not.
When I say that Educational and Socio-economic prosperity can’t eradicate such Autonomous social evils from our society. Then what is the treatment? . Some Philosophers from time to time, came up with the idea of equal opportunity.  But, when practically applied, that too didn’t show any result. Apparently, it may seem that equal opportunity is the last thing one can think of for eradication of such Autonomous social evils. But no, you can’t give a racing track of equal length to both Physically strong (man) and physically weak (woman) and start a racing Competition. You are not doing justice, when you give equal opportunity of sitting an exam to a student who lives in hills, who can’t afford books and has never gone to coaching with a boy of upper class, who has plenty of books, laptop, coaching, and environment of Education at home. Later will win in both the cases (race and exam).
For Autonomous evils like the above, not equal opportunity but preferential treatment is the key. It is only with preferential treatment that downtrodden can be brought at par with the rest of the society. If there is a 2km long racing track for men, it has to be at least only 1km for women. The one living in the hilly areas has to be given preferential treatment over a rich student. When lower class and women are given preferential treatment, the caste system and gender inequality will end on its own – Gradually but completely.

– The writer can be reached at arbazbomai90@gmail.com