Buddhism in Five Minutes - Elizabeth J. Harris
68. Are Human Rights Compatible with Buddhism?
Buddhism in Five Minutes - Elizabeth J. Harris
Damien Vincent Keown [+]
Goldsmiths College
Emeritus Professor of Buddhist Ethics
History Department
Goldsmiths College
University of London
Description
Globalization has accelerated the exchange of ideas to such a point that it is hard to imagine there are many Buddhists who would reject the idea of human rights outright. Indeed, the concept is now so central to contemporary ethical, social, and political discourse that it is doubtful we could do without it. Accordingly, we can give a generally affirmative answer to the question posed at the start. It may be helpful, however, when reflecting on this topic, to keep in mind a distinction between the substantive aims of human rights and the conceptual nature of the vehicle chosen to deliver them.