Moral Theories Of Human Rights - 1614 Words

AFRICA UNIVERSITY Institute of Peace Leadership and Governance: Master of Human Rights Peace and Development What do you understand under the philosophy of human rights and the reality of moral theories? PROF G. MENELICK : PHR 500 Laurelle Mbaradza 160563 Date _______________________________11 February 2017 ABSTRACT The paper gives a roadmap on the foundations of human rights from the mediaeval to modern times. It explains the need for one to understand the philosophical foundations of human rights so that one can adequately understand human rights across the global divide. The author explores the nature of human rights in line with the various views of philosophers and early proponents of the concepts of human rights. She†¦show more content†¦The philosophy of human rights looks at the underlying basis of human rights and attempts to answer questions about the roots of human rights, their nature and justification. There are many theories that surround the formation of human rights such as religion, natural law, Positivism, Marxism and the sociological approach. However, all the above mentioned theories, the most widely discussed is the moral theory as the most prominent approach to the foundations of International human rights. Moral theories Proponents of moral theories classify human rights as ‘moral entitlements that all human beings possess by virtue of our common humanity’ . The approach states that a human right is not qualified by any legal instrument or any institution. The moral theories focus on the universality of human rights despite our various backgrounds such as race, culture, religion or geographical boundaries. They further elaborate that human beings owe each other respect that cannot only be defined by international human rights instruments but by the fact that one is human. Jerome Shestack in his paper ‘Philosophical foundations of Human rights’ explains theology as a source of human rights. He said that Theology states that human rights stem from a higher law than the state, The Supreme being. He gives examples from two religious books, the Bible and the Quran which both emphasize on the high value and dignity of the person as well as the sacredness of a human being. Therefor eShow MoreRelatedMoral Theories Of Human Rights1433 Words   |  6 Pagesphilosophy of human rights and the reality of moral theories ABSTRACT The idea of human rights came up as early as 539 BC when the armies of Cyrus the great who was the king of ancient Persia conquered the city of Babylon and he freed all the slaves and gave them the right to chose a religion of their choice. This reveals the history of human rights. However the history of human rights complements the philosophical aspect of the same. Both aspects champion the idea of human rights which emanateRead MoreDefining the Moral Status Essay1567 Words   |  7 PagesBiomedical Ethics Chapter 3 Defining the moral status As time passes medicine and the healthcare system has greatly improved the life expectancy of mankind, and more options present themselves, they also come a price as to which is the right choice to make. How do we defy which life is more important, who gets to live and who has second priority? How do you determine who has a higher moral status. What properties should you base your criteria on? We will isolate and divulge onRead MoreIntroduction. Moral Status Determines Who Is Capable Of1123 Words   |  5 PagesIntroduction Moral status determines who is capable of making moral judgements. Meaning, it gives power or authority to certain individuals to make decisions of right versus wrong. Morality itself can be defined as an individual’s ethics. 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Principles or rules of right conduct or the distinction between right and wrong are one definition of moral. In this essay, I will search for my principles and how I ought to live my life. What do I believe in and how do I apply this in my duty as a human being, as a father, husband and a military officer. In other words, I will search for my moral philosophy. Furthermore, I will explain my moral philosophy and itsRead MoreThe Divine Command Theory And The Natural Law Theory Essay1691 Words   |  7 PagesAs humans, we are able rationalize and determine what is morally correct. We are the only ones in society that have this ability since animals cannot differentiate between right and wrong. (Pisemenny, 2016) Two theories were developed that linked morality and religion are the Divine Command Theory and the Natural Law Theory. In this paper, I will discuss how the Divine Command Theory and the Natural Law Theory differ and how the Natural Law Theory is more effective. The Divine Command Theory isRead MoreUniversalist Theory Of Universalism1237 Words   |  5 PagesUniversalist theories (moral universalism) are meta-ethical positions that claim that there is a universal ethic that applies to all people regardless of their nationality, religion, sex, race, culture, sexuality, and other distinguishing features (Greenwood and Harris, 2011). Universal ethics refer to a moral system that applies to the entire humanity, transcending personal whims, and culture in the process. The justification for this rises from human nature, which is a shared vulnerability of sufferingRead MoreVirtue Ethics : Moral Philosophy For Determining The Moral Permissibility Of Abortion1283 Words   |  6 PagesRosalind Hursthouse argued that virtue ethics is the preferable moral philosophy for determining the moral permissibility of abortion because it avoids the drawbacks from the utilitarian approach, and the deontological approach. I will demonstrate that virtue ethics is preferable because (i) it does not require a comprehension of problematic abstract concepts, and because (ii) it is sensitive to circumstantial variation. This paper will argue that virtue ethics is the preferable ethical approachRead MoreThe Moral Theory Of Deontology828 Words   |  4 Pagesbelieve that the moral theory of Deontology, which is also called non-consequentialism, incorrectly answers the question â€Å"What is right?† The reason being that Deontology answers this question base on each individual experience and belief, which most likely will always be different from person to person. In my stance I will first explain the moral theory of Deontology, secondly I will point out how Deontology answers the question â€Å"What is right?†, and lastly analyze why the moral theory of DeontologyRead MoreDivine Command Theory And Natural Law Theory948 Words   |  4 PagesReligion has always been a central part of human history, tracing back to the earliest know n records in human existence. From the ancient Egyptians to the Mayans, from the Celts to the Greeks and Romans, from Hinduism to Judaism to Catholicism, religion has always been the center of human culture. Recent studies have suggested that religion was centered on advanced alien races whose technology was misunderstood. However, one thing is undeniable, these age old systems of belief and worship of a higher