What are Rights?

Project Overview

Rights are among the most frequently invoked yet persistently debated concepts in global discourse. Are rights inherent—universal entitlements that every sentient being holds by nature—or are they constructs shaped by legal, social, and political forces? This project seeks to clarify the essence of “rights,” asking whether rights are fundamental moral claims or instruments created to protect and promote human well-being.

Why It Matters

Achieving clarity about the concept of rights is essential to promoting human dignity and social justice. Ongoing ambiguities in how we define rights can weaken policies, advocacy efforts, and everyday practices. By developing a clear, standardized framework for understanding rights, this project aims to create a stronger foundation for effective and principled approaches to protecting and advancing rights worldwide.

Key Questions

• Are rights intrinsic to all sentient beings, or are they purely products of social and legal constructs?
• How do legal definitions of rights intersect with moral conceptions of rights, and where do they diverge?
• Can “rights” be measured objectively? If so, what metrics might capture their essence?
• How do the protection of rights and the overall well-being of individuals and communities influence one another?

Get Involved

We invite researchers, legal scholars, policymakers, and advocates to join this critical inquiry. By engaging with the question “What are Rights?”, you can help shape a future in which rights are clearly defined, rigorously protected, and universally respected. Together, we can strive for a world where the essence of rights is both understood and upheld, laying the groundwork for a more just and equitable future for all.

Research Approach

Our approach is rooted in rigorous interdisciplinary inquiry and essentialist analysis. We are:

• Examining foundational debates: Scrutinizing diverse perspectives from philosophy, law, and political science to uncover the core assumptions underlying current understandings of rights.

• Developing a standardized framework: Identifying the defining characteristics of “rights” to turn the concept from a vague ideal into measurable, actionable criteria.

• Strengthening conceptual clarity: Aiming to improve consistency and transparency in rights research, so that our findings can inform strong rights-based policies and advocacy.

Potential Impact

By clarifying and redefining the essence of rights, this research aims to:

• Inform policy: Provide evidence-based insights to strengthen rights-based frameworks at all levels of governance.

• Unify academic discourse: Reconcile divergent theories by establishing a clear, common understanding of rights.

• Empower advocacy: Equip human rights defenders and policymakers with conceptual tools to drive meaningful, principled changes in policy and practice.

Featured Publication

(Research under production)

Other Projects

What is Peace?

Peace is one of the most invoked yet least understood concepts in global discourse. Is peace simply the absence of war, or does it represent a deeper, more fundamental condition? This research project interrogates the nature of peace itself—whether it is an external reality, a constructed social ideal, or a fleeting equilibrium in the constant flux of human interaction.

Read more
What is Security?

Security is a foundational yet contested idea shaping societies worldwide. Is security solely about military strength and borders, or does it encompass broader dimensions like economic stability, environmental safety, and community resilience? This project critically examines the many faces of security and explores how redefining it can transform policy, promote justice, and foster sustainable peace.

Read more
What is Well-Being?

Is well-being defined solely by material conditions or does it encompass deeper dimensions of flourishing? By challenging conventional metrics, we seek to uncover transformative insights that can redefine our understanding of development and inform sustainable policy.

Read more