A discussion of natural rights

Just as I’ve learned to expect from all of my IR and politics related seminars, the class I have wednesday afternoon consists largely of the TA asking something like “do you think there any fundamental, objective human rights?” and then waiting for the class to argue about it.

It’s kind of pointless, because nobody is really willing to take a strong opinion about anything. When I had to do a presentation leading into a debate, I started claiming ridiculous things just get people talking. But when he asked about fundamental human rights…nobody had an opinion!

It may seem a bit callous, but I think there are. I think the right to live is a right that every human should enjoy, regardless of what culture you come from.

“But,” come the cries of objection, “what about cultures that involve human sacrifice? Aren’t you just being imperialist and trampling their heritage?”

To which my harsh response is that perhaps it’s simply wrong to kill people. Whether or not it’s an imperialist position, those people who are being killed deserve, through their humanity, the right to live.

All that requires is a belief that there can be moral absolutes. One has to accept that there are things that should, in fact, not be done.

But nobody wants to say that in class. Why not?