Where do government rights come from (morally)?

Discussion in 'Religion & Philosophy' started by kazenatsu, Jan 7, 2019.

  1. dairyair

    dairyair Well-Known Member

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    No, we all have to do something in life to live. We have to obtain food and water. So we do what we can to get that. Most of us are slaved to work for others. And we have the option, in many cases to choose where and how we work.
    A slave is alive. He may not be free, but he/she is living. And has a right to defend that life. That is about the only natural right we have. Most every creature will fight to stay alive. Some lose that right by losing their life.

    One may have a banana in their possession, but if one is hungrier than the one with the banana and feels the need for that banana to live, they will do what is necessary to stay alive and get that banana. If the hungrier one gets it, he/she is now in possession of the banana. Is it now rightfully theirs?

    If one doesn't have access to food to sustain life, they will do what is necessary to get food. Crime even. So they can continue their life, a right. Or do you think, humans and other creatures will forgo life in order not to violate another's so called rights?

    What makes you think you have exclusive right to some piece of land, and the animals that were there don't?
    What if another person thinks some property you have is better for them? Why can't they just take it?
     
  2. xwsmithx

    xwsmithx Well-Known Member

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    Generally when we're speaking about rights, we're talking the individual vis-a-vis the government or society, and not individual to individual. When speaking of individual to individual, we usually discuss the social contract, wherein I agree not to steal from you if you don't steal from me. If you violate the contract, then I have the right to prevent you from stealing from me, by force if necessary. If someone tries to take my property from me, they lose their right to their life and I can shoot them. And that is why they can't "just take it".

    As for the slave, I say he has the right to liberty as well as life and he is free (as far as I am concerned) to do everything in his power to end his slavery, up to and including killing the slave owner. I say the right to liberty is as natural and inherent to human beings as the right to life, and a necessity to make life worth living.
     
  3. dairyair

    dairyair Well-Known Member

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    Thought we are talking natural?
    If it's not natural, then it's man made and man enforced. Enforce is gov't.

    So anything not natural is as you say, agreed upon.
    To me, natural, means every single human has those very rights. And to me, the right to life is all we are guaranteed, if we so choose to defend it.
    If someone takes your property by shooting you 1st, you've lost your right to life and your property.

    We have a right to liberty, but that's not a natural right, but a contractual right. Again, IMO.
    As I believe all these right discussions are.
     
  4. CourtJester

    CourtJester Well-Known Member

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    Pretty sure it is in the bible.
     
  5. dairyair

    dairyair Well-Known Member

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    I don't think guns existed at the time the bible was written.
     
  6. CourtJester

    CourtJester Well-Known Member

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    What! The bible can predict the end of the world but couldn't foresee guns? I am shocked, I tell you shocked. I may have to read it again just to confirm your thinking.
     

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