Philosophy Stack Exchange
Philosophy Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [human-rights]

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Does human life have innate value over that of other animals?

Does human life have innate value over that of other animals? If so, why? And is it wrong to murder another human, but morally permissible to hunt or fish?
user37214
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What is the Difference Between Human Rights and Natural Rights?

When people discuss the human rights and natural rights, there seems to be a distinction between the two, where standard interpretations of human rights (such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights) are broader and incorporate rights, such as…
Kupyn
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If the "right to life" is denied in abortion, isn't it also denied in the use of the death penalty?

Many people who support death penalty are also against abortion, and vice-versa. What is the moral difference between the two? In both cases, isn't the "right to life" of another being violated? What are the major ethical or philosophical positions…
max0005
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What were Plato's view on slavery, in particular with respect to his proposed Utopia?

In the Dialogues(specifically The Republic), when he is discussing his Utopia, At one point, he does say that children should not be treated differently based on their parent's status in life. However, I did not see any mention of slavery in this…
apoorv020
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What are some good books on the relationship between animals and human beings?

So, there are a number of things I am actually after with this, but to try to encapsulate the concern briefly: which thinkers or writers might comment on the relationship between animals and human beings? In particular, I am concerned about the…
Joseph Weissman
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Philosophical justification for giving certain animals rights of a person?

There is a growing movement for the bestowing certain non-human species with legal rights of a person. What might be some of the most significant or important philosophical arguments in favor of such a policy? My understanding of the problem is that…
quant_dev
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What arguments are there for considering forced sterilization a human rights violation? Rather than not consider it?

What arguments are there for considering forced sterilization a human rights violation? Rather than not consider it? I have a hard time in understanding why such being a human rights violation could be anymore correct than it not being a human…
mavavilj
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Contemporary objections to "human nature"

Motivation The sentiment that Human Rights are not universal poses legal, political, and philosophical problems. Stephen C. Angle cites the head of a Chinese delegation, Liu Huaqiu (1995), in his book Angle, S. C. (2002). Human rights in Chinese…
Philip Klöcking
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What philosophers argued that human rights can be forfeited?

I'm writing an argumentative paper on a controversial topic, and the stance I want to take is that there are certain actions that an individual can take (such as terrorism, child molestation) that cause you to forfeit your human rights (or the right…
jack
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How do you tell what are human rights?

Recently on Google's homepage there is a quote attributed to the Olympic Charter: The practice of sport is a human right. Every individual must have the possibility of practicing sport, without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit,…
user5441
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Is property an absolute or utilitarian right?

It seems to me that property cannot be considered an intrinsic part of human nature, not in the way life is, for example. Property defines a relationship between two objects that only has a basis in the minds of humans themselves. So, the question…
yuttadhammo
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Generalize Article I of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

I find Article I of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights to be fascinatingly insightful and concise: All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another…
dotancohen
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Is "human dignity" sufficient to be a "foundational value"? Why?

Is "human dignity" sufficient to be a "foundational value"? Why? Human dignity as per human rights (and associated laws) use them. I personally have great difficulties in subscribing to the idea of: Every human is intrinsically worthy. Or (an…
mavavilj
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How much if any suspension of civil liberties can be ethically justified during a "state of war"?

We constantly see civil liberties getting sacked because the country/state/city/town is in a state of war (let it be curfews or bugging civilian mobile phones). How much is ok? At what level is it too much? I ask this because we need a…
ritwik
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If you know something has the potential to be sentient is it unethical to intentionally prevent it from gaining sentience?

In Star Trek TNG, TOS and Voyager they at some point debate what sentience is and what makes a person a person. Picard with Data/Moriarty, Janeway with The Doctor/holos, Kirk and Spock with the Horta and Sisko with the equality of people and the…
TheIcePhoenix
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