Tradycja chińska a prawa człowieka – wybrane problemy
Chinese Tradition versus Human Rights – Selected Issues

Summary/Abstract: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) is undoubtedly one of the most important international documents. The Declaration’s signing and compliance is considered in the political arena as a measure of the degree of “civilising” of a given state. The present author indicates that, referring to the human rights that derive from the Western tradition, the Declaration attempts to impose a system of values standing behind it. Cultural factors, which undoubtedly influence the Declaration’s reception and implementation in the individual countries, are omitted.In the article, while citing the most important assumptions of Taoism and Confucianism with relation to the ethics and anthropology, the present author indicated the richness of Chinese thought. She also emphasises the differences between the professed values in Asian and Western societies. Referring to the Bangkok Declaration (1993), the author showed the needs and objectives of the Far East. She justified too – on the basis of selected philosophical systems – the cause of “reluctance” to accept the idea of “human rights” in China, as well as the negative perception of the process of Westernisation.

• Details
• Contents