Ladas wrote:
I admit to being a little confused here DFK.
I thought you were solidly in the camp that rights are absolute, so it seems odd that you were concede that rights are defined by might.
I am in said camp.
However, in a discussion such as this, regarding the impact and consequence of rights, one must concede that the ability to create (communal rights) or protect (inherent rights) lies solely with the ability to do so; it lies with "might," be it through strength of arms, diplomacy, economy, whathaveyou.
If one wants to discuss the
nature of rights itself, that comes down to raw belief, essentially. At that point the might makes rights discussion becomes less of a given, but still retains large import in practical reality and the implications of it become more a matter of belief/faith.
Ladas wrote:
Also, in what way do you think morality is absolute and not also defined by might?
I suppose that would depend on the context of "morality." Many people believe or push the idea of an objective morality or of a universal (or common) morality. The impact and outcome of this morality, despite being objective or universal, is still largely dependant upon the capability to defend/uphold that morality through "might."
In the end, the bottom line is this: I have not, ever (to my recollection), seen a proponent of communal rights make a clear case as to why they believe such as system would be superior to a system of inherent rights.
Furthermore, given a belief that a community should make their own rights, I have not seen any logically and/or morally consistent justification to date of forcing other communities to follow our community's rights system.