Where Do Rights Come From? (ethical, how much, government, state)

[Consent Withdrawn]

Where do rights come from?

Some believe they come from God, but what if God does not exist. And even if God does exist, how do we know God cares about what happens on this minute grain of sand we call earth?

Some believe they come from the State. But if rights are given to us by the State, than the State can take them away?

Some believe that rights are inherent in each individual by virtue of the fact that we of all creatures on Earth have conscience and reason. It would seem that this is the only theory in which rights would be secure.

[jtur88]

One could argue that no individual has any rights, without the consent of his society. Society, however, does not have the right to convey that consent, without the consent of any established government that has the power to enforce its will on the society. So ultimately, the king, provided he has the men under arms to enforce his will, grants the rights.

Philosophers may regard any rights they wish as "inalienable", and embellishing it with "God-given" adds a flourish, but saying it does not make it so. In the end, it is the man with the gun, which is why prisoners (even innocent ones) don't have any rights.

[skinem]

Originally Posted by jtur88

One could argue that no individual has any rights, without the consent of his society.

One could argue that, but to do so negates the very meaning of the word "rights", which would be illogical.

While I am pro-gun, whether an individual has a gun and makes the rules does not determine who has rights or not. The one with the gun may determine who gets to exercise his rights, but he doesn't determine who has them.

[jtur88]

Originally Posted by skinem

One could argue that, but to do so negates the very meaning of the word "rights", which would be illogical.

While I am pro-gun, whether an individual has a gun and makes the rules does not determine who has rights or not. The one with the gun may determine who gets to exercise his rights, but he doesn't determine who has them.

It would also be illogical to declare that there are rights that you cannot define. What is the "meaning" of the word that I just negated?

Who yells "Freeze!"? The guy with the gun, or the guy without the gun?

What is the value of having rights that you don't get to exercise? How can a "right" be something you are restrained from exercising.

Every living organism came into existence for only one purpose---to engage in the struggle to either eat or be eaten. What are its "rights"? From where does a dandelion get its rights?

[Rakin]

A mans rights come from in order...

1. His wife.
2. His Boss
3. His church
4. His State
5. His federal govt.

What determines the ability to exercises your rights is how much power You give to the above.

[WilliamHarman]

Did you know most all humans would engage in ongoing criminal acts if not for the pressure of the society around them to "be good" Most people don't like to hear this, but if they really stop to think about it, they realize it is true. The societies that we live in set the standards of rights, like it or not. They set our moral standards, and ethical lines we conclude for ourselves.

That said, it is my belief that all humans born on this earth should be given unrestricted rights to freedom and the endless pursuit of happiness. Not guaranteed those things, but the uninhibited right to pursue them.

[Morphous01]

Originally Posted by WilliamHarman

Did you know most all humans would engage in ongoing criminal acts if not for the pressure of the society around them to "be good" Most people don't like to hear this, but if they really stop to think about it, they realize it is true. The societies that we live in set the standards of rights, like it or not. They set our moral standards, and ethical lines we conclude for ourselves.

That said, it is my belief that all humans born on this earth should be given unrestricted rights to freedom and the endless pursuit of happiness. Not guaranteed those things, but the uninhibited right to pursue them.

Are you a student of Aleister Crowley?

Anyhow, I respect your statement but I don't fully agree with you. Did you know that the most blood that was shed was over religion more then anything else? So please tell me how society and the churches that have been set up for us are keeping us good? Research Knights Templar or the catholic inquisition to further understand my point.

Also I believe that certain racial groups have more aggressive tendency's towards other humans and animals then other racial groups. We are not just different by color and culture you know; it goes much deeper otherwise since the Ancient Phoenicians (oldest culture on record) we all would have integrated and became once complete race by now.

[Morphous01]

Originally Posted by Consent Withdrawn

Where do rights come from?

Some believe they come from God, but what if God does not exist. And even if God does exist, how do we know God cares about what happens on this minute grain of sand we call earth?

Some believe they come from the State. But if rights are given to us by the State, than the State can take them away?

Some believe that rights are inherent in each individual by virtue of the fact that we of all creatures on Earth have conscience and reason. It would seem that this is the only theory in which rights would be secure.

Sigh... this is a heavy topic and very laborious.


A good place to start is to research why you have ALL CAPITAL letters on your bills, SS card and drivers license.

My straw man is an artificial person created by law at my birth on September 1

[jtur88]

My original Social Security card had my name in lower case letters. (It also said "Not to be used for identification.) So did the first Drivers License I ever had. Now, my library card and my NRA membership card have it in lower case.

I can think of at least a half a dozen reasons why all caps would be a logical choice.

[Venom]

Rights come from the society.

If society broke up... some war or something.. you'd just form smaller packs with people you know and you will decide your rights from there.

Just like a family makes rights for their members, a city for its citzens, country, etc.