Posted: April 29th, 2018

Do Aesthetics Have a Place in the Formation of Basic Human Rights?

Do Aesthetics Have a Place in the Formation of Basic Human Rights?

Aesthetics is the branch of philosophy that deals with the nature and expression of beauty, taste, and art. Aesthetics can also refer to the way people perceive and respond to sensory stimuli, such as images, sounds, or words. Aesthetics can have a significant impact on how people think, feel, and act, especially in relation to human rights.

Human rights are the universal and inalienable rights that every human being is entitled to, regardless of their race, gender, religion, nationality, or any other status. Human rights include civil and political rights, such as freedom of expression, assembly, and participation in cultural life; as well as economic, social, and cultural rights, such as the right to education, health, and work. Human rights are based on the principles of dignity, equality, and justice for all human beings.

Aesthetics and human rights are not separate domains, but rather interrelated and mutually reinforcing. Aesthetics can contribute to the formation of basic human rights in several ways:

– Aesthetics can raise awareness and empathy for human rights issues by creating images that provoke citizenship. For example, the photographs of the civil rights movement in the United States, the paintings of Pablo Picasso depicting the horrors of war, or the graffiti of Banksy criticizing social injustice are examples of aesthetic representations that challenge the status quo and inspire people to demand change.
– Aesthetics can also provide a means of expression and communication for human rights defenders and victims. For example, the songs of Bob Marley promoting peace and solidarity, the poems of Maya Angelou celebrating resilience and identity, or the testimonies of survivors of torture and violence are examples of aesthetic forms that convey personal experiences and emotions that can resonate with others.
– Aesthetics can also create a space for dialogue and deliberation on human rights values and norms. For example, the novels of George Orwell exploring the dangers of totalitarianism, the films of Steven Spielberg depicting the atrocities of the Holocaust, or the plays of Bertolt Brecht exposing the contradictions of capitalism are examples of aesthetic works that stimulate critical thinking and debate on human rights issues.

Therefore, aesthetics have a place in the formation of basic human rights because they can influence how people perceive, feel, and act towards themselves and others. Aesthetics can also help to create a culture of human rights that respects diversity and promotes solidarity among human beings.

References:

: Duarte AM (2023) Arts, Aesthetics and Human Rights: A Psychosocial Perspective. In: Prekarisierung und soziale Entkopplung – transdisziplinäre Studien. Springer VS. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-658-39533-9_12
: Wang B (2009) write my paper on Human Rights, Alienation, and Aesthetics. Stanford Humanities Center. https://shc.stanford.edu/arcade/interventions/human-rights-alienation-and-aesthetics
: Sánchez C (2022) Aesthetics of Human Rights: Images that provoke citizenship. Humanities & Rights Global Network Journal 4(2): 1-15. https://www.humanitiesandrights.com/journal/index.php/har/article/view/74

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