The War Between Ethical Universalism and Cultural Particularism in Rights Discourse.

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to correct the prevailing opposition between ethical universalism and cultural particularism in human rights discourse. Central to my thesis is to show that many approaches have failed to reconcile the discrepancy that exists between theory and practice and between universalist and particularist moralities as applied to the issue of human rights. This discussion offers insights that could be useful in the process of constructing an integral and effective approach to the issue of human rights. In this regard, I intend to argue that a realistic understanding of the concept of universality, as far as the issue of human rights is concerned, must be built upon concrete particularities rather than on abstract concepts.