Universal or Relative? Flashcards
When was the UN established?
In 1945, following WW2
When was the UN declaration of Human Rights?
1948
What does the UN declaration of Human Rights say all humans are?
Born free and equal in rights
Does the universal declaration hold in a court of law?
No, only an ideal adopted by certain states into their constitution
What does it mean for rights to be universal?
Hold the same human rights regardless of wherever you go
What does universality fail to recognise?
The diversity of views in the world
What does a common set of human rights allow for?
A standard by which all can be judged
What is an issue with understanding of human rights?
Different countries have different understandings of them
What makes ‘universal’ human rights difficult to achieve?
Socio-cultural diversity
What do universalists believe about human rights?
They should be held irrespective of social identity, nationality, residence and these rights should remain unchanged
What do universalists believe rights are in respect to society?
Abstract from society
What do cultural relativists argue about the world?
There are vast differences in culture which make universal human rights hard to achieve
It is hard to decide whether a practice violates rights without…
Reference to our own socio-cultural norms and values
What does FGM stand for?
Female genital circumcision
FGM for cultures outside the west
Natural procedure, can be perceived as a symbol of virginity which ensures that they will be married
FGM to western cultures
A breach of human rights as young girls have no choice
What is the issue with condoning a practice outside your own culture?
We don’t have any basis in criticising practices of other cultures for violating human rights as our perception of human rights is based on what the west consider to be right
Practices may seem abusive in our society but…
Normal in another culture
What does the argument that human rights are universal fail to represent?
The diversity of cultures and views in the world
What do some argue universalist arguments amount to?
Cultural imperialism
Ethnocentrisms
Believing your culture is superior
What do cultural relativists argue?
There is a danger in failing to recognise the variance of ideas about rights and wrongs in the world
What could a failure to recognise cultural differences result in?
Human wrongs being committed
What do universalists argue could happen without a common set of human rights?
Without legitimate moral force and understanding there could be violations such as genocides
What should human rights be instead of imposed?
Discussed
