Largely agreed that it is well put. I also don’t think there are many if any excuses to not treat someone as a person. Even when others disrespect you that isn’t an excuse to disrespect them- basic human respect isn’t conditional. It doesn’t matter that they disrespected you, if you don’t respect them you are just as wrong as them. What can you say: “no I’m not. They treated me without respect”? Isn’t that what they are saying too? “I don’t have to respect you because you didn’t respect me?” At that point you are now the same- YOU made YOURSELF like them, a person you find reprehensible- and so you disrespect yourself when you disrespect others.
That said- this synopsis misses an important reality. Identity. For some people authority is an aspect of who they are. Usually that authority has been earned and proven of such is the case. This is ancient knowledge- respect for elders is common throughout the world and history for example- the authority of experience and untold trials over more time than perhaps you have been alive.
Anyone who has ever called an antivaxer stupid for not listening to doctors, or a flat earther etc. ignorant for not listening to science can’t really argue otherwise- that is the same mechanism those arguments function on- that it is ignorant to not respect the authority of someone with the knowledge and experience you lack. That doesn’t mean you have to kiss peoples feet or unquestioningly do whatever they say- but it leans there should be a basic level of respect beyond just human respect that is conferred on those who elicit authority.
More over- authority itself- actual and rightful authority- deserves its own measure of respect. I don’t respect Bill Cosby but I respect his professional accomplishments and his ability to make a positive impact in many peoples lives and society. He did wrongs I do not condone or respect- and for them I do not respect him as a man- but I respect aspects of his life and person. You might not respect every police officer you meet- but you should respect the badge and what is is meant to stand for, and even if you don’t respect the man behind the badge you should show the respect to the authority he holds because not doing so is more likely to hurt you than him.
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TLDR: There's probably never a good reason to not treat someone like a person, and there are certain identities that deserve the respect of an authority.
I believe they think they're being fair because they think (maybe correctly) that they are on different levels of a hierarchy, so respecting those different positions means different things.
TLDR: There's probably never a good reason to not treat someone like a person, and there are certain identities that deserve the respect of an authority.