The Nature of 'Rights'

[Objectivist]

[Any quoted material from this post is from Ayn Rand's "The Virtue of Selfishness, 'Man's Rights'"]

Throughout the history of mankind, all political systems have been some sort of tribal-socialist-collectivist system either partially or completely. The individual has been subordinated to a higher authority, either mystical or social. Therefore "society has been placed outside of moral law, either as the source or exclusive interpreter."

Society is not a concrete object. It is composed of hundreds of different individuals leading different lives, holding different values, and pursuing different cause of happiness. Therefore in every society there has been people that are excluded from moral law whether it is a king, a tyrant, or an entire system of government. For example: "the theocracy of Egypt, the the Pharoah as an embodied god, the unlimited majority rule or democracy of Athens, the welfare state run by the Emperors of Rome, the Inquisition, the monarchy of France, the gas chambers of nazi Germany, the slaughterhouse of the Soviet Union."

All of these systems demonstrate the absolute moral authority of the governments and rulers of such system. The rulers were not subjected to moral law, they were above it, and worse still, many times they created it.

This is why the USA was the first country in the world rooted in a fair, just morality. The USA was "the first country to subordinate society to moral law."

Individual rights are the product of a moral system. Before such a concept was born, men were regarded as society's means to achieve it's goals, society was the end. Men could not live for themselves, society did not recognize a man's right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. In this dark past, rights were given by the society. The US held that "man was an end in himself, and society as a means to a peaceful, orderly, voluntary coexistance of individuals."

"A right is a moral principle defining and sanctioning a man's freedom of action in a social context."

Thus there is only one fundamental right. The right to life. As corollaries there are the rights to liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. A right protects the freedom to act, not the privilege to have. Therefore one does not have the right to healthcare, food, a decent wage, a car, etc. A person has the right to achieve such things by his own work and diligence.

When people believe that they have a right to healthcare, insurance, food, recreation, etc. there is slavery. How? When you believe you have the right for other people to provide these "rights" to you without compensation they are your slaves.

That is what has happened to America, the only morally founded country in the world. The people have been re-subordinated to society, and to our government.

[Osborn F Enready]

Once again, all I can say is "well said", and leave it at that.

I agree.

[Objectivist]

Quote by: Osborn F Enready Once again, all I can say is "well said", and leave it at that. I agree.

I'm glad someone does. Thanks for the welcome.

[Osborn F Enready]

Well, common sense isn't all that common anymore, nor is the value of objectivism so clear with so little left in the public eye when viewing the courts, the legislative or executive branches.

Don't let a lack of applause stop you from speaking truth.

[SleepingOwl]

Wow, good point, its a good slap in the face for some people, hopefully. Though sadly those people would likely have difficulty understanding your point.