HAPLA, Martin. Taking Stories Seriously: Richard Rorty and Human Rights. In Markéta Štěpáníková, Michal Malaník, Monika Hanych, Martin Škop. Argumentation 2017. International Conference on Alternative Methods of Argumentation in Law. 1st edition. Brno: Masaryk university, 2017. p. 39-50. ISBN 978-80-210-8839-9.
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Basic information
Original name Taking Stories Seriously: Richard Rorty and Human Rights
Authors HAPLA, Martin (203 Czech Republic, guarantor, belonging to the institution).
Edition 1st edition. Brno, Argumentation 2017. International Conference on Alternative Methods of Argumentation in Law, p. 39-50, 12 pp. 2017.
Publisher Masaryk university
Other information
Original language English
Type of outcome Proceedings paper
Field of Study 50501 Law
Country of publisher Czech Republic
Confidentiality degree is not subject to a state or trade secret
Publication form printed version "print"
RIV identification code RIV/00216224:14220/17:00099506
Organization unit Faculty of Law
ISBN 978-80-210-8839-9
UT WoS 000429766100003
Keywords (in Czech) Rorty; Human Rights; Legal Theory; Stories.
Keywords in English Rorty; lidská práva; právní teorie; příběhy.
Tags rivok
Tags International impact, Reviewed
Changed by Changed by: Mgr. Petra Georgala, učo 32967. Changed: 11. 5. 2018 13:46.
Abstract
This paper deals with the influence of stories on our approach to human rights. In this context, it analyses the philosophy of Richard Rorty whose name is associated with the most important attempt in this respect. This philosopher refuses to seek the foundation of human rights but instead emphasizes the development of the human rights culture. In his view, the way to develop this culture is hidden in sentimental education. It consists of telling sentimental stories to influence our approach to human rights. The paper summarizes the critique of this concept. The problem is that the success of sentimental education implies that people share the ability to feel pain and have a good degree of empathy. The meaning of norms is then that they are available in situations where our degree of empathy is insufficient or completely missing. It therefore appears that this concept can only work within a very narrow framework. For these and other reasons, Rorty is highly criticized in a philosophical context. The author of the paper, however, raises the question if such context is appropriate for understanding Rorty’s work. Rorty himself categorizes philosophy into systematic and edifying. Both have different goals, while the latter allows a more lenient assessment of his ideas. And it is this category that we should classify Rorty in. The final part of the paper is devoted to a general reflection on the role that stories can play in our human rights acceptance. Different forms of storytelling are undoubtedly an important part of our lives. However, it is not appropriate to absolutize them. They can be an interesting addition, but not the core of human rights theories.
Links
MUNI/A/0828/2016, interní kód MUName: Axiologické základy právního myšlení (Acronym: HODNOTY)
Investor: Masaryk University, Category A
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