Why Are Some People Supposedly ‘Worth More’ Than Others?

There’s a belief that is endemic in almost every culture, yet is profoundly mystifying and disturbing to me. That’s the nearly universal belief that some people are ‘worth more’ than others.

We see and hear this belief expressed constantly, in a million subtle or obvious ways. It is ubiquitous; it surrounds us and, in a sense, is the ‘air we breathe.’ This absurd (to me) belief forms the foundation of most of our social and economic practices. There are even whole societies that revolve around hierarchies and detailed descriptions of the ‘worth’ of people on each ‘level.’ (The Indian caste system comes to mind.)

I have a simple question: Why? Why do almost all human beings and societies ‘believe in’ such hierarchies/evaluations, and why do we center our societies and lives around such separative, conflict-prone beliefs?

I’ve been pondering this question for most of my life, and still haven’t found an adequate or reasonable ‘answer.’ This essay will lay out my thoughts on the matter as well as certain conclusions I’ve reached.

Our societies need ALL of us

When I look deeply into our — or any — society and its basic functions, it strikes me that we’re all essential parts of it and we’re all needed. ALL of us. Everyone. Kings couldn’t rule without subjects, preachers can’t preach without parishioners, factory owners and CEOs wouldn’t exist without workers, and presidents depend on elections and the voting public. Our societies need and must have workers and ‘helpers’ at every level, whether it’s street cleaning, garbage disposal, food production, teaching, entertainment, manufacturing, cultural exchange, or government.

Our societies truly can’t function without the participation of all of us — and the garbageman or sewer cleaner is just as vital and important as a CEO or ruler. (Just recall what happens when garbage pickup ceases for a long period. Local society and daily life are severely impacted and start to grind to a halt.) That’s the actual on-the-ground truth of the matter, as far as I can tell.

Yet this is NOT how our societies behave or what they believe. Instead of celebrating our ‘unity-in-diversity,’ we constantly look for differences and create all sorts of separative distinctions, using these ideas to bolster massive hierarchies and systems of ‘worth.’

This social tendency has reached its apex in the United States, where intense super-capitalism reigns and people are mesmerized by the growing ranks of multi-billionaires. To Americans, it’s ‘obvious’ that a multi-millionaire or billionaire is ‘worth more’ than someone living on the street or earning a subsistence wage.

But I question and reject this entire mindset. Even the super-rich depend completely on a functional society and economy to amass their riches — and as noted, our societies and economies only function well when all of us participate and play our particular role. Even the haughty mega-rich are just a tiny part of the overall whole — and are totally dependent on the contributions of the rest of us for their wealth and well-being.

All systems of ‘worth’ are simply… wrong

Take the cruel capitalist belief that great wealth makes you ‘better’ than others, while extreme wealth shows you are ‘the best of the best.’ In purely numerical, monetary terms, we can certainly admit a billionaire is ‘worth more’ than a millionaire or middle-class person — but that’s as far as it goes. Or rather, that’s as far as it should go.

But we don’t stop there. Oh, no. We ascribe almost godlike powers and ‘worth’ to the uber-wealthy and aspire to be just like them… whether they’re arrogant, greedy bullies or generous, humble souls (and most seem to fall in the first category). Wealth alone is never a good measure of someone’s ‘worth’ as a human being. And don’t even get me started on the ludicrous, unconscionable pay and income disparities in the U.S.

Take the idea of ‘aristocracy’: having intrinsic ‘worth’ because of one’s ancestral heritage and favored place in society. This belief has fallen into disfavor in our modern world, yet even now it still exerts a powerful influence. Almost every society — even a ‘democratic’ one — has its own subtle or overt form of ‘aristocracy.’ Think of the Kennedy clan and the ‘Camelot mystique’ surrounding them. Yet bloodlines and ancestral favoritism also prove to be poor measures of ‘worth,’ since there are both kind and evil, and wise and foolish, aristocrats.

Take the idea that some races are ‘worth more’ than others. That is — or should be — a non-starter, since it’s obvious that every race contains a full spectrum of people ranging from nasty and cruel to giving and compassionate. NO race has a lock on ‘goodness,’ nor does one’s race predict ‘worth.’ And the self-delusion and hatreds unleashed by racist beliefs are truly amazing.

For instance, while Whites often believe they are ‘superior’ to other races and claim the moral high ground, many other races and peoples around the world see them as arrogant, abusive ‘White devils.’ Who is correct? Neither.

What about the concept of ‘meritocracy’?

Lastly — and this list has been far from exhaustive — there’s the belief in ‘meritocracy.’ This idea makes more sense initially — until we drill down and examine its underlying assumptions. Consider: how do we determine ‘merit’ — and who or what defines ‘merit’? Is it the rulers? Is it money? Is it one’s level of power? Is it wisdom? Is it skill and expertise?

To me, the ‘skill and expertise’ argument holds the most water. It’s always the case that some people have more and better skills than others, as well as more expertise in a given subject or profession. And yet… does this mean they are ‘worth more’ than others? Just because someone spent years in medical school and is proficient at a set of ‘doctoring skills,’ does that truly mean he/she is ‘worth more’ than someone who only finished grade school and digs ditches or helps harvest crops?

Even though the concept of ‘meritocracy’ merits (ha, ha!) some grudging respect,in the end it, too, comes up short. Ultimately, no human being is truly ‘worth more’ than others — and as noted, we are all needed. The only possible exception would be murderers, rapists, and violent criminals — lawless, cruel people who are SO repugnant to every society that they, in effect, exist outside society and are considered ‘unworthy’ individuals. In this case only, at least there’s some sensible, realistic justification for judgments of ‘worth.’

Comply and bow down… or be a true ‘equalitarian’

So, exactly why do some people always have to be ‘better’ than others? Why do we compulsively view some people as ‘better’ than others?

To me, it’s a basic human failing and is nothing more than unvarnished egotism and self-centeredness. It’s a common human trait that should be exposed, worked on, and subdued — and is certainly not a trait to worship and bow down to. But here, as with most things, we tend to do the opposite of what’s best, healthiest, or most needed.

Oddly, we seem to adore the very things that make us miserable and create endless strife, competition, and conflict.

I suppose that, at heart, I’m a true ‘equalitarian’ and have no use for all our separative distinctions, judgments, and social rankings. In this, I feel very aligned with the original teachings of Christ, who was both a radical ‘equalitarian’ and a potent spiritual gadfly (and no, I’m not a practicing ‘Christian’).

Recall, Jesus hung out with the poor and common folk, and often had harsh words for the ‘elite’ of his day, the Pharisees and ruling class. He had no patience for all the separative judgments, inhumane beliefs, and cruelty that he saw in action around him. He saw clearly how hurtful, foolish, and dangerous they were — and worked hard to communicate this. And he tried to teach people a very different way of living and being in this world — with limited success.

Yet his crucial teachings and ideas live on, and continue to inspire and uplift many. Again, why? I think it may be because, in our deepest heart of hearts, we all know that our ego-driven rankings and judgments are pure nonsense, and we simultaneously all want and need deeper, fuller connection with life and other people. We all know, somewhere deep inside, that our habitual evaluations of ‘worth’ are both meaningless and harmful — and on a soul level, we’re eager to leave them behind.

But our world and our cultures make this choice/process very difficult.

The only truly ‘worthy’ choice

Where does this leave us? How are we to deal with the incessant judgments of ‘worth’ that surround us? And, how can we deal with the ubiquitous psychic and emotional demands that we conform and agree with all these mean-spirited, pointless evaluations of ‘worth’?

I think the best course of action is quite simple… though not necessarily easy. Just… stop. Listen to your own head and heart, acknowledge the truth of our underlying equality and equal ‘needfulness’ to our societies, and then step back from all the cruel, ego-driven judgments of ‘worth.’

You don’t have to believe all this nonsensical BS. You don’t have to prove anything to anyone. You don’t have to succumb to the stupid societal pressures all around us. You don’t have to ‘fit in’ with all the other haters, judgers, and finger-pointers.

You truly can choose to just… STOP. It’s one of the most basic and potent ‘super-powers’ that we have as human beings — the power of conscious decision and choice.

Every one of us has this innate power of choice. When we combine that with the power of awareness and loving empathy, we can make much healthier and wiser choices. We can see the inherent ‘equalness’ of all people, and choose to treat everyone with respect and yes, love and compassion.

I think that’s a fine and worthy choice.