"The notion of human right builds on our shared humanity. These rights are not derived from the citizenship of any country, or the membership of any nation, but are presumed to be claims or entitlements of every human being. They differ, therefore, from constitutionally created rights guaranteed for specific people."

60 likes

Source: Amartya Sen (2010). “The Idea of Justice”, p.179, Penguin UK

About the author

Amartya Sen

Economist, Philosopher

Amartya Sen is an Indian economist and philosopher known for his work on welfare economics and social justice, particularly through his book 'Development as Freedom.'

All quotes by Amartya Sen →

Same author

More quotes by Amartya Sen

See all →
Amartya Sen Economist, Philosopher

"Human development, as an approach, is concerned with what I take to be the basic development idea: namely, advancing the richness of human life, rather than the richness of the economy in which human beings live, which is only a part of it."

Read quote
Amartya Sen Economist, Philosopher

"The success of a society is to be evaluated primarily by the freedoms that members of the society enjoy."

Read quote