Sustainable Development and Human Rights: Christianity as Mediator
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69569/jip.2024.0502Keywords:
Sustainable development, Environmentalism, Human rights, Subjective rights, Filipino, ChristianityAbstract
This paper aims to show that there is a tension if not a total contradiction, between the notion of sustainable development and the idea of human rights and that Christianity, especially as practiced by Filipinos, can be a starting point for a reflection of a reconciliation of the tension. The paper is divided into four parts. First, a short inquiry into the origin of sustainable development will be made, and it will be shown that sustainable development is closely related to environmentalism. That is to say, caring for the environment is a crucial point of discussion when talking about sustainable development. In the second part, a discussion on human rights will be conducted, especially on human rights, understood as subjective rights usually spoken of using proprietary language. That is to say, human rights are conceived as property. In the third part, it will be shown that sustainable development, understood in tandem with environmentalism, is in tension with the notion of human rights, especially when conceived as subjective rights. The contradiction is usually most apparent in the legal and juridical sphere, and three cases will be given in this regard. In the last part, it is asserted that it is possible to attempt to give some semblance of reconciliation between the two notions above in tension by showing how the specific brand of Christianity practiced by Filipinos, especially as guided by Christian Philosophy, can help least in the theoretical level. It should be noted that what is asserted is not a full-blown solution to the tension. Indeed, Filipino Christianity can only be a starting point of reflection for the reconciliation.
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