OK, yeah, a right is not an actual, objectively verifiable thing. It's a philosophical idea.
The idea that all people have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness forms the basis for American culture, politics, and law. You can say that these rights are imaginary, but if everyone has tacitly agreed that these rights apply to all people, and act accordingly, you're going to have a hard time swimming against the tide.
If all it really comes down to is one man's power over others, as you say, then you are reducing our civilization to survival of the fittest. While we do have evolutionary adaptations and instincts, humans are not beholden to their animal nature. Which is why we have formed societies and created these concepts such as human rights, in order to be collectively stronger than any one man can be alone just bashing heads and being a bad motherfucker.
The notion of rights has been weaponized. It can be used by people to squelch your own "rights" and unless you fight to protect them, you lose them. So in the end a society is a fine idea, but it relies on violence for continuity.
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moremetalguitar ago
OK, yeah, a right is not an actual, objectively verifiable thing. It's a philosophical idea.
The idea that all people have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness forms the basis for American culture, politics, and law. You can say that these rights are imaginary, but if everyone has tacitly agreed that these rights apply to all people, and act accordingly, you're going to have a hard time swimming against the tide.
If all it really comes down to is one man's power over others, as you say, then you are reducing our civilization to survival of the fittest. While we do have evolutionary adaptations and instincts, humans are not beholden to their animal nature. Which is why we have formed societies and created these concepts such as human rights, in order to be collectively stronger than any one man can be alone just bashing heads and being a bad motherfucker.
carlip ago
The notion of rights has been weaponized. It can be used by people to squelch your own "rights" and unless you fight to protect them, you lose them. So in the end a society is a fine idea, but it relies on violence for continuity.