What ethical framework involves believing that predetermined rights are held by both individuals and societies?

The rights-based framework is centered on the concept that individuals possess inherent rights simply by being human, and these rights are respected by both individuals and societies. This perspective emphasizes the importance of protecting these rights, which can include civil, political, and economic rights. In applying this framework, ethical decisions are made by considering whether they uphold and respect the rights of others, ensuring that individuals’ dignity and freedom are safeguarded.

This framework is distinct from others such as utilitarianism, which focuses on the outcomes of actions and seeks to maximize overall happiness, thus evaluating actions based on their consequences. Deontological ethics, while also concerned with rights and duties, is more focused on the adherence to rules or duties that dictate what is right or wrong, rather than the rights themselves. Ethical egoism, on the other hand, prioritizes self-interest and suggests that actions are ethical if they promote one’s own best interests, which may not necessarily align with respecting the rights of others.

The recognition of predetermined rights as fundamental to social interaction and ethics distinguishes the rights-based framework, highlighting its role in informing fair treatment and justice within ethical decision-making.