ARE HUMAN RIGHTS A WESTERN CONSTRUCT? FROM THE CONFUCIUS PEACE PRIZE TO THE PRACTICE OF SUTTEE IN INDIA

Journal Title: The Journal of International Social Research - Year 2012, Vol 5, Issue 21

Abstract

Raimundo Pániker, a Hindu- Roman Catholic theologian and academic states in his paper, Is the Notion of Human Rights a Western Concept?, “Does another culture also have the notion of Human Rights? --assuming that such a notion is absolutely indispensable to guarantee human dignity. No question is neutral, for every question conditions its possible answers. . . Human rights may turn out to be a Trojan horse, surreptitiously introduced to other civilizations. . . Can democracy imposed and remain democratic?”(Panikkar, 1982: 238). Pániker argues the notion of Human rights is a western construct, non-universal and should be subjected or be malleable to the features of local culture (cultural relativism) or risk human rights being introduced like a Trojan horse, risking the survivability of local cultures (Panikkar and Panikkar, 1982: 247). In this paper I will argue while human rights are indeed a western concept, the adoption of human rights as a universal concept is a necessary one. I will base my reasoning upon the case study of the practice of Suttee in the Indian subcontinent.

Authors and Affiliations

Thomas NG

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  • EP ID EP265539
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How To Cite

Thomas NG (2012). ARE HUMAN RIGHTS A WESTERN CONSTRUCT? FROM THE CONFUCIUS PEACE PRIZE TO THE PRACTICE OF SUTTEE IN INDIA. The Journal of International Social Research, 5(21), -. https://www.europub.co.uk/articles/-A-265539