Human Right

What is in a human right? In other words, what is the basis for one? I'm pretty sure we're born with them; so we consider them something earned or given when we breath for the first time. Is there something in breathing that gives us intrinsic value? But that's not the way I intend to look at the question.

It is somewhat of a fickle question to ask, at least I feel that way. To question the authenticity of a human right can easily be seen as threatening to that right. And I agree that this kind of threat should be taken seriously, but at the same time we must be sincere about these things. Simon Veil wrote that the philsophical basis for human right, the only philosophical basis, is that every human has a connection to a reality that is completely foreign to this world. By foreign, he means a reality that is altogether outside of the reach of human faculties. And in this world exists the source of the good, true, just, and beautiful. What is common to all humans, back on this worldly reality, is the longing- the deep-seeded longing- for the good. It's Aristotelian in that though we are incapable of achieving the divine, we seem to possess the ability to turn towards it. A sad, faint sort of mimicry, but really I think it's true. Any appreciable act committed by a human, probably had the character of this turning.

One thing I like about this way of thinking is it allows us to drop the hunt for equality. We don't have to turn a blind eye to the radical inequality in the world. People are deaf, ill-minded, hispanic, overweight, color blind, rich...whatever. To say that we are all equal in respect to these qualities is at best like the thoughts of a child who closes his eyes, plugs his ears with his sticky fingers, and refuses to exist in a world where he has lost this round, and must leave the four square court. We are inequal, but not to worry- the basis of respect isn't found in the reality of these inequalities. It is found in that which
is common and what is equal, that link to the reality of the good.

What human right is justified? It seems like the first things that should be protected are our needs. The most basic needs like food, air, water... etc. At least we can say we've protected our right to live, and living is essential. But what else? Shouldn't the grasp of our rights extend to include that which enables and embodies our pursuit of that other reality? It is a more complicated question to ask what the soul needs.

I have to admit I've become a little annoyed by people commenting on human rights in a non-chalant manner. I sometimes wonder if people could call anything a human right as long as it didn't directly result in someone else's murder. In a way this dilution is as harmful as flat out denial of human rights. If the right cannot be traced back to a philsophical basis, then I have severe doubts as to its necessity as a civic right. Maybe I'll learn something new tomorrow, but I don't like the idea of human rights being hypothetical lines drawn in the sand so that we play nicely.