Sample Material of UPSC Mains Philosophy (Optional) Study Kit
Topic: Socio Political Philosophy (Human Rights)
Human rights are defined as those rights which are available to all individuals by virtue of being a human being. Therefore hum right includes within its purview all those rights which are essential for human existence. They are different from traditional theories of rights becomes in dominant legal theories which is today accepted in most of the countries, only those rights are available to individual which are given by the state. But the notion of human rights also accepts the rights which are not accepted by state but which are essential for human existence. Human rights are secular version of natural rights because these rights are also available to individuals by birth but their source does not lie or rest in god. Human rights are Paramount moral rights and legal acceptance is not important.
Characterstics of Human Rights
i) They are available to all human beings irrespective of place, religion,
race, caste etc.
ii) They are basically moral in nature
iii) These rights are essential for human existence.
iv) They cannot be taken away from the individual.
Criticism
1) Which rights are human rights is a subjective matter.
2) The Constitution of none of the moral state accept the notion of human
rights.
3) In the name of human rights, certain countries, sometimes interfere in the
internal affairs of other countries to fulfill their vested interests.
