WHILE HUMAN dignity, freedom, and rights are abstract concepts relative to culture and individuals, these are made concrete in how people interact every day.
This was a reminder evident in the Philosophy Department’s two talks with Professor William Sweet, President of the World Union of Catholic Philosophical Society.
The talks were held July 8 at the Ching Tan Room and Leong Hall.
Pertinent topic
Philosophy Professor Leovino Ma. Garcia, Ph.D. said this talk was a good opportunity for students to learn about political philosophy and social rights because this was Sweet’s specialty.
“This is an important issue today, [and] it would be good for students to hear his views on human rights,” Garcia said. “This is a good occasion to talk about the violations of human rights, and how to respect it.”
On the first lecture, entitled “Human Dignity and Freedom,” Sweet defined free will and human dignity, and people’s perceptions and notions about it. “Human dignity both reflects and limits freedom,” said Sweet.
He also discussed how abstract, vague and obscure these concepts were because they were relative on culture and traditions.
His second lecture, entitled “Human Rights: Its Role on Ethics, Politics, and Law” discussed how rights, though innate in everyone, are still difficult to comprehend and implement. Sweet also talked about justice and duties attached to human rights.
Insights
Junior Gwen Co said the talks were worth coming to school for even though she had no classes that day. “It was really interesting how he talked about human dignity and freedom as something that aren’t focused on…I learned a lot because even if you know basically what dignity is, he still gives you more insight about it.”
“His insights were good on human dignity and how regardless of one’s religion and cultural background, every human person still has that dignity,” Junior Maria Amparo Warren said. “It was interesting how he discussed dignity as something that is for all and as something that can be related to issues on slavery and other harsh things.”
“His talk helped me understand the philosophy of how it is to be human,” Warren said.
Garcia also agreed that the talks were good because the speaker managed to convey his message in tuned with the level of the audience.
“The questions were very engaging, and it provoked a lot of discussion from everyone. Since he spoke very lucidly, very clear…it was very understandable for everyone,” Garcia said.
