ANTITHESIS
A key critique of Rights-Based Ethics is its potential for rigidity and abstraction, which can lead to practical and moral dilemmas. Here are the main points:
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Conflict of Rights: Rights often clash (e.g., freedom of speech vs. protection from harm), and Rights-Based Ethics lacks a clear mechanism to resolve such conflicts. This can result in moral paralysis or arbitrary prioritization.
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Neglect of Consequences: By focusing solely on rights, this framework may ignore the broader consequences of actions. For example, upholding a right to property might justify extreme inequality, even if it leads to widespread suffering.
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Cultural Relativism: The universality of rights is contested. What is considered a fundamental right in one culture may not be recognized in another, raising questions about the framework’s applicability across diverse societies.
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Abstract Foundations: Rights are often justified through abstract concepts like “human dignity” or “natural law,” which lack empirical grounding. This makes it difficult to justify why certain rights exist or why they should override other moral considerations.
In summary, while Rights-Based Ethics emphasizes individual dignity, its rigidity, neglect of consequences, and abstract foundations limit its practical utility in addressing complex moral and social issues.