Discussion in another thread lead me to digress. Everyone there politely ignored the digressioin their, so I am going to ask here:
Many sources, notably the laws of the USA (and other countries), routinely talk about 'rights' as though they were defined concepts. Can someone give a good definition and tell me why it is so certain that everyone has 'rights'?
Originally posted by royalchickenI don't think many people have any good rights. It's just something we are told to keep us quiet. Once someone I knew got arrested. He said he wanted his phone call. The cop replied "You only have the right to remain silent. Use it!!!" 😠
Discussion in another thread lead me to digress. Everyone there politely ignored the digressioin their, so I am going to ask here:
Many sources, notably the laws of the USA (and other countries), routinely talk about 'rights' as though they were defined concepts. Can someone give a good definition and tell me why it is so certain that everyone has 'rights'?
I don't know. Those are what I'd call 'morals'. 'Rights' are usually talked about as some kind of obvious entitlement that people are possessed of, but I'm challenging us to come up with a few and explain why they are fundamental entitlements of humanity, or to argue that such things don't exist.
Originally posted by royalchickenWe did an "Our Rights" topic in at the begining of the school year. Apparently I have the "right" to learn and be taught. So how, I ask, can I learn if I am sent out of class because I challenged a mathmatical theory in a Math lesson. If I say "I have a right to learn" I will be shouted at for being rude. If I don't I stand in the corridor getting shouted at by passing teachers who ask "Why are you out here?!?"
I don't know. Those are what I'd call 'morals'. 'Rights' are usually talked about as some kind of obvious entitlement that people are possessed of, but I'm challenging us to come up with a few and explain why they are fundament ...[text shortened]... titlements of humanity, or to argue that such things don't exist.
Originally posted by latex bishopI think that rights are certain rules that prevent you from doing illegal thing...it's a right to go to school, but at the same time...when you're skipping school, you're commiting a crime!
Are rights not simply the rules that define your interactions within a given society?
Andrew
As Andrew said, rights are defined by the society you live in, it isn't a right to go to school in Africa...🙁
Olav
Rights are somethings which are granted by the powers that be.
I think they are almost like privilages, but are considered so important that it would be uncivil (shall we say?) NOT to have them.
For instance, the ability to go hunting or fishing (with a licence) is a privilage in most societies.
The ability to vote for who governs you is a right.
Something like that?
Originally posted by VargFunny that a freethinker would talk about the powers that be. Thinking about switching sides are you? 😉
Rights are somethings which are granted by the powers that be.
I think they are almost like privilages, but are considered so important that it would be uncivil (shall we say?) NOT to have them.
For instance, the ability to go hunting or fishing (with a licence) is a privilage in most societies.
The ability to vote for who governs you is a right.
Something like that?
Seriously though, rights to humanity are given in the bible. Even though many of you do not believe in God he has handed us a handbook on how to treat others. The forefathers of this great nation believed in the Lord and incorporated what they had learned from the Bible into the intial laws of the USA. There have been those in the state legislature that have stated "Without the 10 Commandments there would be no laws." Those who live where the Koran is their Bible have developed a different viewpoint on what civilians rights are but they believe they are acting on the laws given to them by their God. All laws began with the 10 commandments and therefore our initial 'rights' were outlined by Moses.... 🙂