Quote:
Originally Posted by Willravel
Misusing your rights would have no penalties if the rights were absolute. That's the point we're all making.
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It's really that simple. Rights extend as far as the law. If you break the law, your rights come into question. Otherwise, how could we take away one's right to life, liberty, or property? If rights were absolute, it would be illegal to take away one's life (capital punishment), liberty (incarceration), or property (fines and other penalties to income and assets).
Absolute and inalienable rights cannot be taken away. I believe that most human rights are afforded this status. For example, the right to be free from cruel and unusual punishment is inalienable. There is no moral justification for issuing such a punishment. Any government---any party whatsoever----who issues cruel and unusual punishment is violating a right. Under no circumstances should anyone be subject to such treatment. That is an inalienable right.
Other rights don't have such characteristics. As much as we can say that we all have the right to life, liberty, and property, the fact remains that there are laws that indicate these rights can be revoked.
Personally, I think capital punishment is morally objectionable. I believe that there are no circumstances where it is just or moral to take another's life; yet, there are some justice systems that permit such actions. Anyone who considers themselves staunch defenders of the right to live should oppose the idea of capital punishment within any form of government.
However, I do understand the dire nature of criminal activity and so do support the idea of suspending the right to liberty of those who break laws that suggest a removal from society would be in order. At the same time, there are crimes that would suggest financial penalties are in order. In these cases, the suspension of the right to one's liberty or one's property is necessary as a penalty for breaking laws that are deemed just by the society. Without these penalties there lacks any consequences for breaking such laws that are in place to maintain a certain level of social harmony.
This is why rights aren't absolute. As much as you have rights to liberty and property, if you are in breach of society's laws, you must face reasonable consequences. In breaking certain laws, you are responsible to own up to your actions. This may include giving up your right to liberty for a set time frame. This may also include giving up your right to certain assets of yours. Either way, this indicates that rights aren't absolute. You are entitled to your rights as far as you are able to carry them within the confines of law abidance.