Non Western Conception Of Human Rights Essay

Poli 3388- Human Rights- Lecture –Nov 11/10.
Non-Western Conceptions of Human Rights
-the universal conception emphasizes that they should spread throughout the entire world
-For Donnelly, human rights envision all humans endowed will unalienable rights that entitle them to equal concern and respect from the state.
-he sees these as entitlements, this key especially when he is looking at non-western conceptions.
-Donnelly argues that while other societies may have had or continue to have elaborate systems of duties, which include conceptions of justice salient ideas on political legitimacy, and other ideas that recognize human dignity, might be embedded in non-western societies already but Donnelly does not see these as alternatives to human rights.
Traditional societies
-May have had duties but this does not equal human rights
-they were not alternatives to human rights, because no one had human rights against the existence of an unjust ruler
-Humans need rights against unjust rulers
-these were duties and were not articulated as human rights. Unless you have rights you cannot claim anything against your violator.
-Implied in this then, is this idea that human rights are a product of the western experience,
-We will look at Islamic culture and Pre-modern West
Islamic Culture
-Muslims are called upon to treat others with respect and dignity
-Donnelly suggests Muslims are called upon by religious scriptures, traditions, religious leaders, and ordinary believers to treat each other with respect and dignity.
-While ideas of well-being and social justice sound like values of UDHR, they appeal to divine command
-But they appeal to divine commands that establish duties and not Human Rights.
-you have duties to uphold human dignity but you do not have a right to that dignity, the duties are held within that religion, the practice traditionally established to realize these values simply to not include equally and unalienable rights held by all...