McGill 489 Press here for the complete text of this article. Toucher ici pour le texte int gral de cet article. The author discusses various notions of equality which society has held throughout the ages and suggests a more appropriate definition for our times. Whereas Aristotelians advocated treating likes alike, and the nineteenth century introduced the notion of equality before the law, the twentieth century has favoured a more interventionist approach to equality, seeking to reduce discrimination.
Discrimination includes practices which limit an individual's opportunities.
Society is not equal. The differences which exist call for different treatment of different people so that they may each attain equality in society. The obstacles in the way of attaining this objective are better understood after an explanation of the broader societal context. The author discusses society's experiences with the New Puritanism and the New Pluralism. The legal culture both responds to and creates societal norms.