Uniting in Responsibilities in a Culture of Rights

The relationship between Rights and Duties has engaged the attention of philosophers since time immemorial. The questions they raised have eternal significance. When do the needs of the community take precedence over the rights of the individual? How should the claims of the individual, on the basis of his or her inherent rights, be reconciled with the claims of the State, of the community and of other individuals, on the basis of shared community values and interests? The concept of Human Duties and Responsibilities serves to balance the notions of freedom and responsibility. While rights relate more to freedom, duties and responsibilities are associated with responsibility. Responsibility, as a moral quality, serves as a natural, voluntary check on freedom. In any society, freedom can never be exercised without limits. Thus, the more freedom we enjoy, the greater the responsibility we bear towards others, as well as ourselves. We must move away from the freedom of indifference towards the freedom of involvement. Globalization of the world is matched by global problems, and global problems demand global solutions on the basis of ideas, values and norms respected by all cultures and societies. Recognition of the equal and inalienable rights of all peoples requires a foundation of freedom, justice and peace but this also demands that Rights and Responsibilities be given equal importance to establish an ethical base, so that all people can live peacefully together. The papers in this volume were presented at a South Asian workshop at Bangalore in early April 2008 on the theme, Uniting in Responsibilities in a Culture of Rights Locating Possibilities .