Rights-Based Ethics (HL IB ESS OLD COURSE - IGNORE)
Revision Note
Written by: Alistair Marjot
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
Rights-Based Ethics
Rights-based ethical systems focus on actions and whether they conflict with the rights of other entities
These entities can include humans, non-human organisms and even ecosystems
However, there is ongoing debate about the specific rights that individuals or other entities might possess
Different perspectives may derive rights from religious texts, philosophical reasoning, or societal norms
For example, if a religious text states that killing animals is wrong, then an individual might consider killing animals for food to be ethically incorrect because it conflicts with the rights of the animal (if that individual takes their own ethical rules from the religious text)
Other ethical frameworks may also acknowledge rights, but rights-based ethics places a central importance on respecting these rights in all decision-making, actions and behaviours
Understanding rights
Humans are often attributed with a range of rights such as the right to life, freedom of speech, and property rights
Non-human organisms, including animals, may be granted rights to life, freedom from cruelty and habitat preservation
In some cultures and societies, certain ecosystems are also considered to possess rights, such as the right to exist, thrive and be protected from harm
Actions that protect or maintain these rights are seen as morally correct
Violating these rights therefore makes an action morally incorrect
Disagreements and perspectives
Debate persists over the nature of rights and who or what possesses them
Some argue that only humans possess rights, while others extend rights to non-human organisms, or even non-living entities (such as rivers) and whole ecosystems
The perspective on the rights of an individual or society greatly influences their ethical decision-making
For example, if only humans are attributed rights, actions that uphold human rights but also damage the ecosystem may still be seen as ethically correct
If non-living components of the biosphere are attributed rights, a rights-based approach might conclude that increasing air pollution is ethically wrong due to the violation of the atmosphere's rights
The debate over factory farming and the ethical treatment of animals is another example that highlights the conflicting perspectives on rights-based ethics
Applying rights-based ethics to environmental actions
When applying rights-based ethics to environmental actions, considerations extend beyond human interests to include the well-being of ecosystems and non-human organisms
Actions such as deforestation, pollution and habitat destruction must be evaluated in terms of their impact on the rights of all affected entities
Environmental conservation efforts, such as establishing protected areas and implementing sustainable practices, align with rights-based ethics because they prioritise the protection of ecosystem rights
Appeal to Nature Fallacy
"Appeal to nature" is an argument or rhetorical technique, which suggests that if something is natural, it is automatically good or right
People often use this argument to justify certain behaviours, practices, or beliefs because they think natural things are better
For example, some people argue against vaccination because they believe that allowing the body to naturally fight off diseases is ethically correct and superior to artificial intervention, despite overwhelming scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness and safety of vaccines
However, whether this reasoning is valid is a big debate among ethicists and philosophers
Those who think this perspective is contentious and subject to debate often refer to it as the appeal-to-nature fallacy
A fallacy is a mistaken belief, reasoning, or argument that appears logical but is actually flawed or misleading, often leading to incorrect conclusions
Some simple examples demonstrating this fallacy are:
Medicine and health:
Traditional or alternative medicine often claims natural remedies are better than synthetic drugs
For example, herbal supplements are marketed as "natural" and healthier
However, they might not always work as effectively
Food choices:
Some people believe eating organic, unprocessed foods is healthier and more ethical because they're natural
But not all natural produce is safe or good for us to eat
Evaluating naturalness
While nature can sometimes provide inspiration for ethical principles, not everything natural fits ethical norms or values
In other words, considering everything 'natural' to be good does not always act as a reliable ethical guide
For example, diseases like malaria or cholera are natural, but they cause harm and suffering to humans
This raises questions about whether it is ethically justifiable to allow the spread of disease-carrying organisms in the name of preserving nature
Also, some people might see certain human actions, like war or pollution, as natural, even though they are widely considered to be unethical
Ethical considerations
Making ethical decisions means looking at more than just whether something is natural or not—saying that everything natural is good is too simple
We need to think about things like what will happen, what society thinks, the rights of individuals, organisms, or ecosystems and how our actions affect these entities
Relying only on the appeal-to-nature argument ignores these important ethical factors and could lead to wrong conclusions
Consider this ethical dilemma that could be created:
Protecting natural habitats is seen as important
But saving endangered species or restoring ecosystems often means humans have to step in, sometimes "interfering" in quite significant ways
Some might argue that such interventions contradict the principle of leaving nature untouched
Therefore, they may want conservation efforts to be stopped or limited to allow nature to take its natural course without human interference
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