I recently read an article about a controversy at a Brazilian high school regarding a “no short shorts” policy. A 16-year old girl was being applauded for mobilizing her classmates to sign a petition to do away with a sexist policy requiring girls to dress in “non-provocative” clothing by prohibiting items such as short shorts,… Continue reading There Will Be Short Shorts
Category: Philosophy
Bill Nye the Science Guy?
Bill Nye the Science Guy took a clear position today on the abortion debate and was cheered by the pro-choice movement. In a four minute video, he made his case for a woman’s right to abortion that was quickly celebrated with headlines such as Newsweek’s “Bill Nye Brings Down Hammer of Science on Abortion Opponents”… Continue reading Bill Nye the Science Guy?
The Arrogance of Justice
A 1973 bank robbery in Stockholm, Sweden became famous after hostages empathized with the robbers and turned on the police. The term “Stockholm Syndrome” was soon coined to describe the psychological phenomenon where hostages bond with their captors. Few will argue that hostages under this type of duress genuinely sympathize with their captors and would… Continue reading The Arrogance of Justice
Epistemology of Human Rights: Gewirth’s Argument
It is probably safe to say that in one way or another; most of us agree that each of us is entitled to some basic rights. Even worst of enemies acknowledge each other’s right to disagree! This awareness however begs the questions “why do we believe we possess rights” or better, “how do we know… Continue reading Epistemology of Human Rights: Gewirth’s Argument
Perry’s Argument
In order to discuss human rights in any meaningful way it is vital that the very premise that humans are entitled to such rights be defensible in a rational and universal manner. One defense of this universality of human rights is the claim that human life is “sacred”, that we are all members of the… Continue reading Perry’s Argument
Timeline of Human Rights Personalities
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