Discrimination

1. an act or instance of discriminating, or of making a distinction.
2. treatment or consideration of, or making a distinction in favour of or against, a person or thing based on the group, class, or category to which that person or thing belongs rather than on individual merit: racial and religious intolerance and discrimination.
3. the power of making fine distinctions; discriminating judgment: She chose the colours with great discrimination.

Our society disapproves of acts of discrimination and has agreed to pass laws prohibiting some such behaviour.

At the same time there is discrimination practices which are acceptable and even required by other laws.

Funds are marked as to be allocated in favour of gender, race, health, wealth etc. - requiring discrimination for and against others in the community. This discrimination is generally accepted by those discriminated against as they indicate sympathy, support and charity.

There are laws that proscribe some behaviours and actions. In Australia you must drive on the left of the road in accordance with the law which discrimimates against those who want to drive on the right.

There are forms of discrimination that are reasonable, normal and daily, even commendable and positive. Personnelle in businesses and government departments are permitted to discrimintate and refuse to deal with people whose bahaviour is rude, argumentative or offensive.

Some people discriminate by taste - do you like brussels sprouts?  If so do you prefer them steamed or baked? 

Vegetarians make decisions on diet which others do not agree with. Alternatively, others do not disriminate against eating meat. Bothe can happily dine together.

The important thing is that ability to get on with each other while holding different opinions which lead to differences in behaviour.

You can make an act or instance of discriminating, making a discriminating judgement on someone else’s views, so you might disagree with their views without discriminating against the person.  A refusal to agree with someone is not an act of discrimination against the person.

See also Tolerance