"The Way Things Are" Fallacy -- Why Change Is Deserved

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The fallacy I'm about to present is quite straightforward, but its implications deserve some reflection. It asserts that simply because things have always been done in a particular way doesn't mean we should passively accept the status quo.

The mere existence of long-standing policies, written or otherwise, doesn't justify their continued implementation. What if these policies are flawed, ineffective, or otherwise problematic? What if they happen to do exactly the opposite of what we want? What if they can be changed, as well?

In other words, given that reality is constantly evolving, for life is dynamic, there's no default justification for maintaining the status quo indefinitely. Just because things have been done a certain way for a long time doesn't mean they should continue to be done that way forever.

I'd like to draw an analogy from a TV show I recently watched, called "Code Geass." The show features an apparently immortal emperor who rules over a world-dominating empire. In a speech justifying his actions as emperor and his ambitions to conquer the entire world, not just a portion of it as it currently stands, he asserts:

" All men... are not created equal! Some are born swifter afoot, some with greater beauty, some are born into poverty, and others are born sick and feeble. Both in birth and upbringing, in sheer scope of ability, every human is inherently different. Yes, that is why people discriminate against one another, which is why there is struggle, competition and the unfaltering march of progress. Inequality is not wrong, equality is!

What of the E.U., which made equality a right? Rabble politics by a popularity contest. The Chinese Federation with its equal distribution of wealth? A nation of lazy dullards. But not our beloved Britannia, we fight, we compete, evolution is continuous. Britannia alone moves forward, advancing steadily into the future. Even the death of my son, Clovis, demonstrates Britannia's unswerving commitment to progress. We will fight on, we shall struggle, compete, plunder, and dominate, and in the end, the future shall be ours. All hail Britannia!!"

In this speech, the fictional Britannian Emperor attempts to justify not only conquering the world and enslaving others, but also why inequality is superior to equality. His reasoning for the preservation of inequality is this: That is just the way things are; that not all men are created equal, and thus, there are inferior people, and there are superior people, as it "should" be. Things are factual, therefore they should stay factual.

In that fictitious reality, where might makes right, the inequality of people is sufficient legitimacy. A flawed reason for the strong to dominate and for the weak to be dominated. The same reasoning, could've been also be applied to Nazism, who believed themselves to be the most superior of "races", and thus had any right to purge the other "races" and of "inferior" characteristics, such as disabilities and mental disorders. In their case, their military might wasn't enough for them to overcome their enemies.

Of course, there is indeed great inequality in this world as well, regardless of that TV show's portions of realistic fiction. It doesn't mean that it is moral to allow unfair inequality just because it is evident (whether or not "fair inequality" exist, is a subject for another day). The problems of the world should not be enabled just because they became the status quo, when some of us have some degree of influence to change at least some of them. Hence why it's important to have influence.

If you're a student or a teacher in a school where there is a great deal of bullying, the fact that bullies prey on weaker victims, doesn't justify by itself bullying to be premitted in a school. It's the same fallacy that doesn't justify an all powerful empire to dominate the world and enslave natives.

Unless you believe in some doctrine that says that the strong have the right to rule over the weak?

Thus, if someone tells you that "that's just the way things are", you can technically know that such an excuse isn't morally legitimate (there are several ways to explain moral legitimacy). If there are one or more solutions to a situation that can solve that problem, then said solutions should be applied.

Difficulty shouldn't be an excuse, and as such we can witness how laziness can hinder us from being moral beings, by not taking the necessary steps to solve problems and thus reducing suffering in the external world. It doesn't, or shouldn't matter how used some people are to a certain state of things, when these things can be altered for the greater good. This reasoning for problem-solving could be theoretically true to any state of affairs in the world.

Especially, yes? When the solution is probable. On the collective scale, taking our chances may be worthy to create reform and alter the current, incompetent way things are. Of course, we can't exactly solve all problems by ourselves, and it is in no way easy to solve even one of them, necessarily. But trying to make the world a better place to live in is one of the reasons I philosophize, for philosophy saved my life before and I wish to repay my debt to it by using it for the good of humanity.

The idea that some things are justified simply because they are the norm, is a dangerous and harmful one. It also reveals to us the counter-productivity of being loyal to the norms, and thus, why norms can be pretentious. Norms could've been used throughout history to justify anything from slavery to apartheid to discrimination against women and racism. It is important to remember that just because something has always been done a certain way does not mean that it is right. In fact, it is often the case that the status quo is unjust and needs to be changed.

If we want to create a world with greater justice, we need to be willing to challenge the status quo. We need to be willing to question the way things have always been done and to ask ourselves if there is a better way. We need to be willing to stand up for what we believe in, even if it means facing opposition and hatred.

It is not always easy to challenge the status quo. It can be difficult to speak out against injustice, especially when we are surrounded by people who believe that things should stay the way they are. However, we should not underestimate what we're truly capable of, and should we work hard enough for it to become a reality, then we might even succeed in giving our own fair share of global improvement. Hence why, in terms of contribution alone, success is more important than happiness.

If you aspire to change the world, or even bring about a smaller-scale transformation, you must first recognize that the current state of affairs is either flawed, ineffective, incompetent, or illogical. Once you identify the shortcomings of the status quo, you can then embark on a journey to replace it with a more effective, equitable, and sensible approach.

The world is flooded with imperfections and injustices. Do not fear from challenging the status quo if you wish for a better reality. That is why I challenge it myself with my way of life and thinking, by serving as/leading by example. This option, reserved for those willing to overcome fear, empowers you to advocate for positive change, and inspire the hearts and minds of others to do the same.

A natura, moral rebel, aware to the flawed conduct of society, doesn't require explicit instruction on recognizing these flaws. Innately, they possess the discernment to identify and question the shortcomings of the established order. After all, isn't that the essence of democracy – to challenge the status quo rather than passively accepting it like one would do in an effectively-oppressive dictatorship?

While norms play a crucial role in maintaining social stability, they may also impose constraints on our fundamental freedoms. Carefulness is essential to ensure that these norms align with our values as people, and don't illegitimately stand in our way of our liberties. And, of course, of a more moral, just society.