The Origins of Human Rights: Ancient Indian and Greco-Roman Perspectives

Author: R.U.S Prasad
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 9781032249087
Published In: September 2022
Format: Hardback
Jurisdiction: U.K. ? Disclaimer:
Countri(es) stated herein are used as reference only

List Price: AU$403.00

AU$390.91 Save AU$12.09 (3%)

Download Order Form

Add to Wishlist
| Add to Compare

Description
Contents

Details

This book studies the history of intercultural human rights. It examines the foundational elements of human rights in the East and the West and provides a comparative analysis of the independent streams of thought originating from the two different geographic spaces. It traces the genesis of the idea of human rights back to ancient Indian and Greco-Roman texts, especially concepts such as the Rigvedic universal moral law, the Upanishadic narratives, the Romans’ model of governance, the rule of law, and administration of justice. It also looks at Cicero’s concept of rights and duties which focuses on quality of compassion and fair play, and Seneca’s expositions on mercy, empathy, justice and checks on the arbitrary exercise of power.

An important contribution, this book fills a significant gap in the study of human rights. It will be useful for students and researchers of political science, ancient history, religion and civilizations, philosophy, history, human rights, governance, law, sociology, and South Asian studies. The book also caters to general readers interested in the history of human rights.

1. Human Rights and Vedic Texts – Some Reflections

2. Human Rights and the Rigvedic and post-Rigvedic texts

3. Human Rights and the Dharmasutras

4. Human Rights and the Dharmasastras

5. Status of Women during the Rigvedic and Post Rigvedic Phases

6. Status of Slavery during the Rigvedic and Post Rigvedic Phases

7. Greek humanistic thought in historical perspective

8. Socrates and Human Rights

9. Plato’s ideas and writings and Human Rights

10. Aristotle’s works and humanism

11. Status of Women and Slavery in ancient Greece

12. Hellenistic Philosophy