Is life a right or responsibility?

Asked by: Darlene Funk  |  Last update: January 30, 2026
Score: 4.7/5 (41 votes)

Life is viewed as both a fundamental human right, protected by international law and ethics (the right to life), and a personal responsibility (the duty to live meaningfully, care for oneself, and contribute to society). While everyone has the inherent right to exist, philosophies and religions emphasize responsibilities like protecting life, promoting well-being, and making the most of one's existence through actions, choices, and ethical duties to others.

Is life considered a human right?

Human rights include the right to life and liberty, freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to work and education, and many more. Everyone is entitled to these rights, without discrimination.

Is there such a thing as a right to life?

Article 2 of the Human Rights Act protects your right to life. This means that nobody, including the Government, can try to end your life.

What is a right vs responsibility?

A right is a choice to make your own opinion and entitlement to things such as education, religion and freedom of speech. Responsibilities are duties or something an individual should do such as following the law and rules.

Is life a privilege or a right?

Every human being has the inherent right to life. This right shall be protected by law. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his life. In 1969, the American Convention on Human Rights was adopted in San José, Costa Rica by many countries in the Western Hemisphere.

Teaching Laws, Rights, and Responsibilities to Kids | Freedom of Speech | Kids Academy

30 related questions found

Is a driver's license a right?

A right is something you're entitled to without condition, such as freedom of speech or the right to vote. These are guaranteed by law or a constitution. On the other hand, a privilege is earned and can be revoked. Driving falls squarely in the category of a privilege; there is no right to drive.

What are the five most important rights?

10 Examples of Human Rights

  • #1. The right to life. ...
  • #2. The right to freedom from torture. ...
  • #3. The right to equal treatment before the law. ...
  • #4. The right to freedom of movement. ...
  • #5. The right to return. ...
  • #6. The right to asylum. ...
  • #7. The right to marry. ...
  • #8. The right to freedom of thought.

What are 5 examples of responsibility?

Five examples of responsibility include personal duties like cleaning up after yourself, professional obligations such as meeting work deadlines, social duties like voting or helping neighbors, family roles like caring for children or contributing at home, and ethical duties like telling the truth and owning your mistakes, demonstrating accountability for your actions and their outcomes.
 

What are examples of right and responsibility?

I have the right to be alone with family and friends. 2. I have the responsibility to keep my home safe and clean. If I need help, I am responsible for letting others know.

What are the three types of responsibility?

There are generally three types of responsibility: individual responsibility, shared responsibility, and social responsibility.

Is life a constitutional right?

Every human being has the right to life, liberty and the security of his person. Right to life, liberty and personal security. Article II. All persons are equal before the law and have the rights and duties established in this Declaration, without distinction as to race, sex, language, creed or any other factor.

What are the 5 R's of human rights?

It reminds personnel of “the five R's of human rights” (recognize, refrain, react, record, and report) and lists USSoUthCom's standing orders concerning respect for human rights.

Are life rights real?

Life Rights: “Life rights” is technically a misnomer. Except for limited circumstances, no one owns the right to their life story. The events of one's life are facts, and facts are not protected (except, see below for a discussion on invasion of privacy and other legal actions).

What are the five major human rights?

There isn't a universally agreed-upon list of just five major human rights, but they are generally grouped into core categories outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) (UDHR) and other treaties, focusing on Civil & Political Rights (life, liberty, speech, fair trial) and Economic, Social & Cultural Rights (work, education, health, culture), alongside broader concepts like Equality & Non-Discrimination, forming the bedrock of human rights protection. 

What does article 27 of Human Rights mean?

Article 27

Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.

Why is there a right to life?

The right to life is not just about the right to survive. It also entails being able to live a complete life of dignity and meaning. The chief goal of Article 21 is that when the right to life or liberty of a person is taken away by the State, it should only be according to the prescribed procedure of law.

What are the 30 human responsibilities?

The 30 universal human rights also cover up freedom of opinion, expression, thought and religion.

  • 30 Basic Human Rights List. ...
  • All human beings are free and equal. ...
  • No discrimination. ...
  • Right to life. ...
  • No slavery. ...
  • No torture and inhuman treatment. ...
  • Same right to use law. ...
  • Equal before the law.

What are the 7 main responsibilities of citizens?

Responsibilities

  • Support and defend the Constitution.
  • Stay informed of the issues affecting your community.
  • Participate in the democratic process.
  • Respect and obey federal, state, and local laws.
  • Respect the rights, beliefs, and opinions of others.
  • Participate in your local community.

What is the biggest responsibility in life?

I think the biggest responsibility we must carry throughout our lives is to ourselves for the sake of the maintenance, and restoring whenever necessary, our own self-respect, honor, and dignity, because without that, our word is no good and we have absolutely nothing to offer to anybody or the world.

What are the 5 life roles and responsibilities?

Each one of us can fulfill five basic roles throughout our lives. We can also help others fulfill these roles in their lives. These life roles include being a mature person, a skilled provider, a loving marriage partner, a wise parent, and an effective proclaimer.

What are 5 personal responsibilities?

So as you progress thru the week and month, consider how you are taking responsibility for your aim, attention, attitude, affections, and actions. In a future post, I'll share some tips and actions I've been taking to assert my responsibility in these five areas.

What are the 17 protected grounds?

"17 protected grounds" likely refers to the specific personal characteristics protected from discrimination under laws like the Ontario Human Rights Code, which bans discrimination in areas like employment and housing based on 17 grounds, including race, sex, disability, age, religion, family status, and sexual orientation, though exact lists vary by jurisdiction and law (e.g., US federal law focuses on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic info). 

What are the three most basic rights?

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

What are the four main rights?

The six fundamental rights are:

  • Right to equality (Article 14–18)
  • Right to freedom (Article 19–22)
  • Right against exploitation (Article 23–24)
  • Right to freedom of religion (Article 25–28)
  • Cultural and educational rights (Article 29–30)
  • Right to constitutional remedies (Article 32–35)