Principles and Characters Normatives of Human Rights

Abstract

Civil rights are governed by five normative principles: freedom, equality and dignity, as well as justice and the common good. The first two are conceived on a universal scale, and the majority of western scholars have considered freedom as a supreme asset. Freedom and equality have to be weighed since if freedom prevails excessively, equality may be depleted. If, contrariwise, the scale is tipped toward equality, freedom may be reduced (limitless liberalism ant authoritarian socialism). Dignity is a bonding principle which engages the consideration of the human being with a unique nature all its own. Justice and the common good refer to a man´s social facet. Within the possible classic characteristics of human rights we find universality, a character which is absolute and inalienable. In the present study, we engage these characters, their limitations, and considerations fulfilled by the most relevant doctrine.