Sep
5

Rights As a Cultural Construct.

I have often stated that our concept of Rights is a cultural one. I think this can be best explained with a parallel.

The laws of science, are not laws in a very real sense. They cannot dictate what happens in the real world, they are interpretations of what man sees in the world.

By the same token then, when Thomas Jefferson wrote about the new American culture and its belief that all men are created equal, Etc., he was reflecting the culture’s observation based belief of what is.

It is at this point that a certain amount of pragmatism enters my argument, with the observation that cultures that recognize those basic rights have a tendency to do better in the world than those that do not.

I will expand on this as time allows

Posted by Eric Florack BitsBlog Print This Post Print This Post Subscribe to RSS feed

5 Responses to “Rights As a Cultural Construct.”

  1. John
    September 5th, 2018 at 18:35

    I hate it when the light turns green midpost and Eric has to go back to steering the truck.

  2. davidl
    September 5th, 2018 at 20:36

    Jefferson’s view of equal rights was revolutionary and treasonous.  Jefferson boldly asserted that all men were equal in the sense that none was king.  Such a view was enough for King George to have Jefferson hanged.

  3. John
    September 6th, 2018 at 16:47

    I’ve often allowed my mind to wander considering what the US would have become had Jefferson’s proposed Criminal Code become law of the land.

    I carry and regularly pass out steel engraved portraits of Jefferson for the enjoyment of watching people contend with the unrecognized denomination.

  4. Eric
    September 7th, 2018 at 19:46

    I’m on vacation this week

  5. John
    September 8th, 2018 at 1:09

    Call me, got something for you