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Single Idea 5917

[filed under theme 23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 3. Virtues / h. Respect ]

Full Idea

The main element in any one's right to life or liberty or property is extinguished by his failure to respect the corresponding right in others.

Gist of Idea

People lose their rights if they do not respect the rights of others

Source

W. David Ross (The Right and the Good [1930], §II App II)

Book Ref

Ross,W.David: 'The Right and the Good' [OUP 1930], p.60


A Reaction

This obvious truth brings out the way in which rights are based on a contract (with the whole of a society) rather than being based on 'natural rights'. If ownership were totally communal, you couldn't introduce a 'right' to private property.


The 18 ideas with the same theme [assigning value to the lives of others]:

Kantian respect is for humanity and reason (not from love or sympathy or solidarity) [Kant, by Sandel]
We can love without respect, and show respect without love [Kant]
Respect is limiting our self-esteem by attending to the human dignity of other persons [Kant]
Disrespect is using a person as a mere means to my own ends [Kant]
Respect is purely negative (of not exalting oneself over others), and is thus a duty of Right [Kant]
Love urges us to get closer to people, but respect to keep our distance [Kant]
We must respect the humanity even in a vicious criminal [Kant]
Teach youth to respect people who differ with them, not people who agree with them [Nietzsche]
Religious experience deserves the same respect as our other key experiences, and is best called 'holy' [Taylor,AE, by PG]
Individuals need creativity, reverence for others, and self-respect [Russell]
People lose their rights if they do not respect the rights of others [Ross]
We cannot equally respect what is unequal, so equal respect needs a shared ground [Weil]
Respect is our only obligation, which can only be expressed through deeds, not words [Weil]
To have respect for people, you must feel their claims, or their injustices, or hold them in awe [Taylor,C]
Equality of opportunity without equality of respect would create a very inhuman society [Williams,B]
The word 'respect' ranges from mere non-interference to the highest levels of reverence [Blackburn]
Altruism is either emotional (where your interests are mine) or moral (where they are reasons for me) [Scruton]
We should respect the right of people to live in their own way, even if it is irrational [Swift]