Part 1 On the “Rights of Man” by Thomas Paine 1791
Just
over 200 years ago Thomas Paine’s Rights of Man was published which
sets out his views on governments, economics, revolutionary war, natural
and civil rights. Upon reading this historic book one paragraph in
particular leaped off the page and struck me as highly relevant, but
troublesome, in this modern world.
He describes “Natural
Rights as those which appertain to man in right of his existence. Of
this kind are all the intellectual rights, or rights of the mind, and
also all those rights of acting as an individual for his own comfort and
happiness, which are not injurious to the natural rights of others”.
Fine words indeed, which form the basis of many western constitutions,
and they tell us we have a right from birth to be free, to do and think
as we choose, as long as it causes no harm to others. But it’s that
caveat “no harm to others” that needs careful though and definition.
Who exactly are “others”
Back in the 19th Century “others” was
chosen to include only a select few, those of your own tribe, sex,
power, wealth and creed. But slowly the definition has expanded. Women,
those of different skin, the poor, the less able bodied, those in other
countries and those of different political views, religion or sexual
orientation have all now been included by many legal systems around the
world. However, with the environmental crisis plainly evident to all,
shouldn’t the definition of others be expanded further to also include
future others? What right have we to mess up this planet, in one big
fossil fuel driven party, if it means future generations wont be able to
enjoy it just as we have? With this updated definition of others, that
includes future others, we currently have no right at all to drive a
car, get on a plane, use our gas boilers, as all of these actions are
changing the planet and will cause harm to people in the future by
continuing the process of climate change.
Should “others” also
include animals that also live on this planet? We share most of our
genes with primates and If you trace back evolutionary processes all
life originates from a single source and so are we not related to all
life forms on earth and equally precious? Well nature is cruel and we
have to eat something, but I would argue that animals have a right to
exist as much as we do, if not as individuals, then at least as a
species. We should not do harm to animals or plants and allow them to
thrive along side us. We have no right to cause extinctions or wantonly
destroy habitat.
You could also use the same argument for
Governments to pursue sound economic policy. Governments can and are
borrowing money as if there’s no tomorrow, only for others to suffer
higher taxes in the future. Is this acceptable? I suppose it depends on
what the money is spent on, but due to my lack of knowledge of
economics, I will have to leave that issue to others.
Having
said all this, I’m still not happy with Thomas Paine’s Natural rights.
If we live our lives not causing harm to others, future others, animals
or the planet is this enough? Well may be, but I think it should be the
minimum. It still all seems a bit selfish to me. Couldn’t we do a lot
better? Wouldn’t the world be a better place if we all pursued our own
comfort and happiness, with out harming our newly defined others, but
also acted to help all others to increase their comfort and happiness
too? If we all acted in this way, wouldn’t this create a viscous, or
more correctly, virtuous circle of ever increasing comfort and happiness
for everyone?
We can never know the future, we can only choose how to act today. Perhaps if we
acknowledge
that we have our Rights of Man, but we also have natural Obligations of
Man. then human kind would progress much faster than it is at the
moment, and we could leave behind old 20th century modes of thinking. If
we all exercise our rights, but also help others and contribute to our
global society for the good of all, perhaps then we can all act together
to make this world a better place for everyone, now and in the future.
Part 2 Universal Declaration of Human Obligations
Before we go on, lets drop the out of date, sexist, term “Man” and replace it with “Humans”.
The
Universal Declaration of Human Rights was drafted after the Second
world war and sets out the fundamental rights that all should enjoy. But
what would a Universal Declaration of Human Obligations contain? Pay
taxes and obey the law would be top of the list if Governments were
drafting it. However there are unfair taxes and the law is written by
those in power and may need to be challenged, so they don’t make it on
to my list. Top of my list of obligations comes from the Natural Right
namely the obligation to:-
1) Pursue your own personal comfort
and happiness. If we have this natural right we should use it to full
effect and benefit by making our own choices and not just following the
herd. Happiness and contentment doesn’t come from doing what others
tell, persuade or force us to do but by acting freely and working
towards our own desired goals. After all ,if we haven’t achieved a
reasonable level of comfort and happiness ourselves, we wont be unable
to assist others in their pursuit too.
2) Not to cause harm to others. As discussed above, others should include future others and other life on this planet.
3)
Help others to also have a life of comfort and happiness too. Promote
the virtuous circle of increasing happiness by not acting selfishly or
greedily.
4) Not to waste resources including the resource of our
own time on earth and our own body. Food, water, money, materials and
time are all limited and of value and so should be used thoughtfully to
maximise over all comfort and happiness. I also include our own bodies
and mind as a resource. We should keep them both fit and healthy, so we
minimise our demands on healthcare services.
5) To volunteer our
time, labour and resources for the good of animals and the planet which
are not represented in our democracies. Animals don’t get to vote so
they need us to represent and protect them in our societies.
6)
To continually seek the truth and to question or correct all possible
lies and false hoods. Edward Heath said “never believe the first
version of a breaking story“, it will usually be distorted by those who
are most disadvantaged by its likely effects. Socrates questioned
everything, assuming he knew nothing. A bit extreme perhaps but I don’t
think Trump would have got into power if people remembered these wise
principles.
7) To continually endeavour to learn and self
improve, help others to do the same and to always correct ignorance and
prejudice in ourselves and others.
8) Endeavour to be creative
and practical in thought and action. Never fear failure, or fear to take
considered risks. Only then will the world improve and not stagnate.
9) Celebrate the differences of our peoples and cultures, but to always think globally.
10)
To participate in democratic processes and debates. “The price of
freedom is eternal vigilance”, so we must all be on guard against
extremists and those who tell us that they know best. This is achieved
by voting, joining political parties, protecting free speech and free
press, debating issues of the day, particularly speaking out against
injustice and corruption in society.
11) Always act in a way that makes the world a better place, for everyone now and in the future.
These are just my ideas. What would you include in your Universal Declaration of Human Obligations?
PS
Since writing this essay I discovered that the United Nations and
Unesco have already written their Declaration of Human Obligations and
also a Declaration of Responsibilities of the Present Generation to
future generations, although these have not been made legal in many
countries. (Wales has).
