LESSONS 2 & 3:

THEORIES AND CONCEPTS OF

HUMAN RIGHTS
LESSON 2:
THEORIES OF
HUMAN
RIGHTS
 INTRODUCTION

Human rights are the basic rights and freedoms of every human
being. These rights include the rights to life, liberty, freedom of
thought, expression, and equality.
 THEORY OF NATURAL
RIGHTS
The theory of natural rights states that individuals
enter society with certain basic rights and that no
state or government can deny the rights that
individuals already have. It also describes human
beings as the creature.

Natural law states that human beings are the master of themselves and they. act on
their own in accordance with the rules and laws laid down by nature. But according
to Harold Laski, an English political theorist, natural rights are based on the false
assumptions that human beings can have rights and duties independent of part of a
society.
Theories of Human Rights
THEORY OF LEGAL RIGHTS

According to the legal rights theory, human

rights are created and maintained. by the state;
the state is the only source of the rights of an
individual, and outside the an individual has no
rights at all and can never claim rights against
the state.

Theories of Human Rights

THE HISTORICAL THEORY
OF HUMAN RIGHTS

The historical theory of human rights states that

rights are the product of history, originating
from customs that are handed down through
generations. These are considered fundamental
to the growth and development of man.

Theories of Human Rights

THE SOCIAL WELFARE
THEORY OF RIGHTS

Also known as the social expediency theory, it states that

human rights are the conditions of social welfare.
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, "social
welfare is the act of providing services or assistance to
disadvantaged groups by the government or private
institutions.

Theories of Human Rights

 THE IDEALISTIC THEORY
OF RIGHTS

The idealistic theory of rights, also known as the personality

theory of rights. states that the inner development of a man
develops his full potentiality. This theory suggests that the
right of personality is a supreme and absolute right, and all
the other rights have been either denied or conditioned by it.

Theories of Human Rights

LESSON 3:
CONCEPTS OF
HUMAN
RIGHTS
 INTRODUCTION
The concept of human rights dates back even before
the start of many civilizations and has been seen as
clearly carved in all of the greatest religions of the
world. Whether it is one's duty to look after his or her
neighbor or the concept of universal brotherhood, the
fellowship of men and fraternity combined with
compassion toward mankind have originated in several
religious beliefs including those that pre-date
Christianity has been continually developing ever since.

Concepts of Human Rights

 In the Western view, human rights
are considered to be not permanent
and have no eternal source of
criteria of a cosmic order. The
Habeas Corpus, Magna Carta, the
Bill of Rights, the French Charter of
Human Rights, and the Ten
Amendments of the American WESTERN VIEW OF
Constitution are products of HUMAN RIGHTS
political and social conditions
existing in Britain, France, and
America.
EASTERN VIEW OF
HUMAN RIGHTS
Human rights in the Eastern part of the world vary within regions and
political orientations. Religion is also one of the most influential
factors affecting the human rights view of Eastern societies, In
certain societies, religion is an integral part of daily life and almost
dictates many facets of their lives, as religious teachings provide
guidelines for acceptable behaviors and duties of an individual. Some
scholars believed that these religions and its teachings have been
fundamental in the development and creation of human rights. It is
also believed that the duties to these religions and its realizations
are the causes of the acknowledgment of human rights. Some belief
systems found in Eastern societies are Confucianism, Buddhism, and
Islam.
 SOCIALIST VIEW OF
HUMAN RIGHTS
According to Karl Marx, a German philosopher
and sociologist, and Lenin, a political theorist,
the fundamental rights of an individual are
derived from the dialectical process of history.
Human rights are not conferred to an individual
by its nature but a product of the processes that
played the role in various histories where there
are individuals wanting to end the communist
classes existing in a capitalist society.

Concepts of Human Rights

 RELIGIOUS VIEW OF
HUMAN RIGHTS

Most major religions have a humanistic

perspective that supports human rights despite
differences in their beliefs. According to the
religious view, human tights originate from the
ideas of mercy, kindness to others, and pity on
human beings.
MEMBERS
Acobera, Aldrin

Aliparo, Shiemay

Alvarez, Maricar

Avendaño,John Albert

Avendaño Joshua

Instructor: Mrs. Nelia Sulit