cosmopolitan principle

Question

describe in detail the cosmopolitan principle, which Rorty defends, that the list of rights that a society should uphold depends on what is needed for that society to make progress improving the lives of everyone in that society. Discuss the way that this cosmopolitan principle implies that there may NOT be a list of basic rights that has to be the same for every country.

Answer 1

Richard Rorty's cosmopolitan principle suggests that the list of rights a society should uphold depends on what is necessary for that society to progress and improve the lives of everyone within it. Unlike a universalist approach, which posits a fixed set of basic rights applicable to all societies regardless of context, Rorty's perspective emphasizes the importance of tailoring rights to the specific needs and circumstances of each society.

According to Rorty, the cosmopolitan principle acknowledges the diverse cultural, social, and historical contexts in which different societies exist. What may be considered a fundamental right in one society may not hold the same significance or relevance in another. Therefore, the determination of rights should be based on pragmatic considerations of what will best contribute to the well-being and progress of each society.

This approach implies that there is no one-size-fits-all list of basic rights that must be uniformly applied across all countries. Instead, Rorty argues for a flexible and context-sensitive approach to human rights that takes into account the unique challenges and priorities of each society. By prioritizing the pursuit of progress and improvement in the lives of all members of society, the cosmopolitan principle emphasizes the need for rights to be adaptable and responsive to evolving social dynamics and needs.