INDIAN PHILOSOPHY

PHILOSOPHY – HUMAN RIGHTS – Reflections on Culture
However individualistic and pluralistic the above
view might be, the ancient aim has been to recognize
that in respect of society the freedom or right are not to
be entirely separated from the fact of brotherhood or
social identity-of interest between members which
makes the exercise of a right conditional on the
possibility of equal exercise of other's rights or
freedoms. This is a Dharma or law or the expression of
justice. Social rights then demand firstly an obligation
to respect other's rights and indeed the framework of
these rights get concrete sanction and reality in the
context of societal organisation. Secondly there is
always in the social context an attempt to hedge in this
right or rights by imposing the obligation to exercise
these rights. Being natural they will be exercised; but if
any element of coercion in any manner either as duty or
obligation be entertained it is clear that rights turn out to
be not freedoms but otherwise. It is this element that is
sought to be carefully avoided by those who see that
rights cannot be made to be exercised and one cannot
be compelled to be free, under peril of making them
cynical as in Hegelian theory or dictatorial parental
government.
475