‘Human Rights’ vs. ‘Human Responsibilities’

What if we ditched all of our talk about “human rights” and talk about “human responsibilities” instead?

For example, compare:

  • “Health care is a basic human right.”
  • “Health care is a basic human responsibility.”

Simple, right?

But for those of us that care about “human rights,” the second version is probably closer to what we are usually trying to talk about, and probably emphasizes more of what we really care about.

What does the first version emphasize?

  • something I claim or demand
  • some thing that is supposed to land in my lap (no reference to how it got there)
  • the worthiness of the recipient: you get it because you’re valuable

What does the second version emphasize?

  • something we all owe to each other
  • some contribution we are all called upon to give
  • the basic human decency of the giver: you give it because you’re not a jerk

The first version isn’t a wrong perspective. But if I want to encourage collective action through building on common moral ground, I think I’m better off using the second one.

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Joel Alexander Dueck

Written by

(1981–) Multi-class chaotic good. Nice smells. Birds chirping. 16th and 21st century music.

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