Human rights – local value or universal norm?
Abstract
The article argues for the universal character of human rights. It is demonstrated that they are not of specific value of Western culture but are a universal norm. This norm is valid not only for political practices but, first of all, for the morality and practice of argumentation. Human rights are strictly correlated with Kantian Categorical Imperative and can be substantiated by means of transcendentalpragmatic argument (K.O. Apel). The difference between values and norms are also considered. It is demonstrated that values are always subjective and arbitrary meanwhile final justification is possible for norms.
Keyword(s): human rights; value; norm; categorical imperative; transcendental-pragmatic argument; final justification
DOI: 10.3846/1822-430X.2009.17.1.12-19
Coactivity: Philosophy, Communication / Santalka: Filosofija, Komunikacija ISSN 2029-6320, eISSN 2029-6339
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