Rights Ethics Approach Flashcards
What is Rights Ethics?
It is aimed at universality and proposes that every human being has ‘fundamental rights’ - Human Rights.
Define Rights.
Human rights are the products of moral, social and political agreements between Human beings.
What is the Rights Ethics stance?
At its essence, right are entitlements that are aimed at Universality.
They are concerned with an ideal world and can be legal/moral.
What are the x4 questions to be asked when viewing Rights?
- Who - is the alleged to have the ‘right.’
- What - actions or objects do the ‘rights’ pertain to?
- Why - does the rights holder have the ‘right’?
- How - the ‘right’ can be affected by the actions of the right holder.
What are the x2 components that make up Rights at their most simple?
- Form - The internal structure of the right - constitutional, international
- Structure - What does the right do for those who have them?
Give and Explain a Historical Example of Rights.
Magna Carta 1215
Founding document for a national constitution which formed the template for basic rights of citizens. King John met Barons @ Runnymede. Great Charter of Liberties’ was drafted by the Archbishop of Canterbury to ‘guarantee freedoms.’
What x3 things did John Locke propose all humans have the ‘right’ to?
- Life
- Liberty
- Property - referring to Intellect
List x2 Modern Examples of Rights.
- U.S. Constitution - Declaration of Independence (The right to bear arms, religious freedom, free speech)
- S.A. Constitution
What was developed in 1948 regarding Human Rights?
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by General Assembly of The United Nations.
What x2 purposes does The Universal Declaration of Human Rights serve?
- Foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.
- Recognises inherent dignity and equal and inalienable rights of all member of the human race.
Name x4 Civil and Political Rights of the Universal Dec of Human Rights.
- Right to life
- Liberty
- Free speech
- Privacy
List x2 Social and Cultural Rights in the Universal Dec of Human Rights.
- Right to education
- Right to Social security
List x5 Basic Human Rights.
- Right to Equality
- Freedom from Discrimination
- Right to Life, Liberty and Personal Security
- Freedom from Slavery
- Freedom from Torture and Degrading Treatment
Who was vocal about Animal Rights?
Jeremy Bentham.
Name x5 aspects of Environmental Rights.
- Climate
- Conservation
- Sustainability
- Carbon Footprints
- Endangered species
Name x4 Examples which outline the Dualism of Rights.
- Right to ARVs - but personal responsibility to intimate conduct
- Right to Municipal services - but responsibility to paying municipal bills
- Right to Free Speech - but responsibility not to take part in hate speech
- Right to bear arms - but responsibility to keep them safe.
In what areas does Right Ethics apply in Engineering context?
- Health & Safety in the workplace
- Recruitment & Employment benefits
- Adherence to Professional standards & Guidelines
- Project Integrity - respect to heritage sites, conservation/reservation, scarce natural resources
- Political Agenda
List x7 Weaknesses of Rights Ethics Approach.
- Legislation does not ensure Rights
- Rights don’t always coincide with Justice
- Relativity applied to rights
- Geared to minimum standards
- Is equality achievable/practical?
- Responsibility is often assumed
- Applies to signatory countries - What about the others?
List x6 Strengths of Rights Ethics Approach.
- Universality of Rights
- Provides/Ensures minimum standards for all
- Can be actively challenged & Changed
- Provides a Legal Guarantee for moral status
- Form of Applied Ethics and can be use with other Ethical Approaches
- Causes non-signatories who breech code to be challenged
Explain the need for a Universal Declaration of Human Rights in
1948.
Outline the inherent dualism that exists with this approach.
‘Rights’ do not always coincide with ethics e.g. the ‘right’ to life but the law can provide for a death penalty in the case of some signatory countries. Describe another instance where this holds true.
Freedom of Speech being limited by laws against Hate Speech
What ‘right’ would you add to the current UDHR & explain why?
Right to Digital Access and Online Privacy
Discuss whether we can realistically legislate for an ideal world.
Should animals have Rights?