PHM-Exch> Food for a thought beyond just believing (2)

[Claudio Schuftan]

Dr Urban Jonsson commented on HRR 277:* *

* *

The two major schools of thought in understanding the relative importance
of *OUTCOME *and *PROCESS *in  HR-based framework to Development, are 1)
the *consequentalist school*, that only uses the importance and value of
the outcome in judging the ethical value of a decision, and (2) the
*deontologic
school* that emphasizes the quality of the process. Kant and Amartya Sen
are typical 'deontologists". I am too! Economists are, by training,
'consequentalists'.



Furthermore, the origin and meaning of human rights (HR) tells us that

Human Rights = Morality* *+ Legality.

As regards the moral foundation of HR, moral codes have existed and do
exist in all societies on what is right and what is wrong, permissible or
not permissible, legitimate or not legitimate, etc.



We can actually define a Golden Rule of ethics in the sense of an Ethics of
Reciprocity which has been recognized by religious authorities since 1933
(“Declaration Toward a Global Ethic” by the Parliament of the World’s
Religions).

* *

The golden rule in Buddhism reads: “Hurt not others in ways that you
yourself would find hurtful”.

The golden rule in Christianity reads:  “Do unto others as you would have
them do unto you”.

The golden rule in Hunduism reads: “Do naught to others, if done to thee,
would cause thee pain: this is the sum of duty”.

The golden rule in Islam  reads: “No one of you is a believer until he
desires for his brother that which he desires for himself”

11Judaism  “What is hateful to you, do not to your fellow man. That is the
entire law; all the rest is commentary”.

* *

The question then is: Are these universal values? It seems so; some even
argue that this is the result of the individual's ‘humanitarian instinct’.

In its philosophical foundation,  human rights are based on and reflect
values that are not always specifically European; they are found in many
cultures and religions in the world --including values such as the
protection of life, of dignity, of equality, of property, of security, of
happiness, etc.



So, as for religion, ethics and HR:

•       Most religions share basic views of a common good.

•        Most urge protection of people who are poor, disabled, sick or
powerless.

•        Most prescribe a good and impartial ruling and condemn arbitrary
killing.

•       Most encourage some form of social and economic justice.

•        Most offer moral prescriptions for wartime.

*BUT*

Most religions also show a common disdain towards slaves, women, and
homosexuals!
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