College of Political Knowledge
Subject: Political Philosophy/Political Theory
Paper #35
Recently, Quin of Quintessential Havoc (an insightful thoughts that can be accessed from the blogroll) were having an exchange on the subject of human rights and as usual it got me thinking of the subject from a political philosophical point of view….the subject is one of those subjective things that normally means what the person talking wants it to mean…and yes…that would also pertain to me….for I do NOT have the secret knowledge that some of the others claim to possess.
Some claim that a welfare payment is a human right…while others think that democracy is a human right or…..well pick a thingy and someone will believe that it is a human right…..so, what is a human right?
A generic definition would be…..rights to which people are entitled by virtue of being human….universal and fundamental rights…..how is that?
Actually the term ‘human rights’ did not mean much until the 18th century and the “Age of Enlightenment” up until then it was discussed under the umbrella of ‘natural rights’, if discussed at all.
So what rights can be called ‘human rights’? to begin with….the right to life…basically, the right to receive the material necessary and essential for life (now this can be debated as to what is meant by ‘essential’…and it is already). Second, FREEDOM….freedom in a generalized way…the freedom of thought, religion, association and movement are the ones that come quickly to mind. And thirdly, PROPERTY….(this one is self-explanatory). Fourth, are laws that concern the individual’s status as a citizen…these would include democratic rights (voting, etc). The fifth in the series, RULE of LAW…..this would be the equal administration of the laws of the land…no arbitrary arrest and the right to a fair trail……there you go…..these are the rights that come to my mind when I hear the term used.
And yes, there are a few of them that can be debated on their precise meaning and that is for those above my pay grade…..but simply put…if a person understands the concepts then their rights cannot be taken from them…..
Yes. A good post and thanks for the mention.
Although I also talk about various rights, I am (I think) almost always referring to things that are (or should be) a “right” (or entitlement) in our progressive modern societies.
As to rights that are specifically and intrinsically human, I don’t think there really are any such things… To believe in that idea, you have to assume that there is something inherently “special” about humanity (which implies the hand of some deity behind our creation) and I think that’s fanciful to be polite about it and extremely arrogant of those who think humans are that exceptional. We’re just another rcurrently successful species on the planet, but then so are cockroaches (I’m not specifically implying any similarities between us and that animal you understand – though some people do make me wonder at times). In fact, we’re not even certain if we are the most intelligent species on the planet – how could we even measure it? If one insists on a god as the creator of all things, then maybe WE are the annoying insects sent to be a test of the patience of the really bright ones – like perhaps the whales, dolphins, or even some of the apes. Who knows?
I think if you want to discuss what we think should be a human right (awarded to people in general by the rest, or a majority, of other people), then that is something else and there are a few fundamental things that most would agree on, but even they are open to a huge amount of discussion and disagreement, as you have said.
However, what I DO think we should be able to agree on (very broadly) is what people should be entitled to expect from a decent society, but I personally think that should only be in return for what the individual puts into that society and we could still be arguing about the detail of even that by the next millennium – and we probably will be.
You are welcome…..
While you and I most normally agree on some things…a wealth of others do not share our visions……I wrote this with the hope that we can get some one some where to engage their brain and exchange the views…..most likely I am mistaken…
And I will be damned! This sounds like another series in the making.
I’m delighted for people to disagree (politely and logically where possible). but asking them to, “Turn on brain before engaging mouth,” seems like a pretty futile request in many instances…
Oh, well… 🙁
At times, you are so right……I too do not mind dissent but prefer more than he said she said…..