Sample Material of UPSC Mains Philosophy (Optional) Study Kit
Topic: Socio Political Philosophy (Rights)
Rights are defined as external conditions for development of personality of the individuals. Every individual has certain inherent potentialities for the realisation of these potentialities certain favourable conditions are needed therefore individual makes certain claims from the state if these demands are not against the society and individual himself and they are recognized by the state, then they become rights. Therefore rights can be defined as a collection of external conditions which are essential for the development of the personality of the individual which are not anti-social and which are recognized by the state.
Various theories of Rights.
1) theory of natural Rights. (Earltest theory)—Locke Thomas Paine, Herbert Spencer. Historical background against absolute monarchs.
Theory of natural right believes that right are given by nature or god. Therefore individual is born with rights since state or society does not create rights therefore they cannot violate or take away the rights of individuals. Therefore rights are in alienable. If state curtails or takes away the rights of the Individual, be may revolt against the state. Theory of natural rights supports the notion of the limited state.
According to Locke, there are three natural Rights, right to life liberty and property.