「人權」可以說是當代社會中最具重要而有影響力的觀念之一,然而「人權」作爲一個豐富的知識觀念與其所具有無遠弗屆的影響力而看,其所具有的內涵就係何指?在現實的政治世界中,統治者往往依其各自的需要而對人權做不同面向的詮釋與解讀,益發使「人權」概念所具有的複雜性影響到我們對人權意義的理解與認識,甚至影響我們對世界各國人權發展的認知圖像。本文主旨在於透過對人權觀念的發展曆程,由其萌芽、成形與茁壯的發展角度,探討當今人權觀念的由來,以及其所呈現的意義與內涵。就人權觀念的發展曆程來看,現代人權的觀念啟迪主要是來自於西方的,特別是源自於十五、十六世紀歐洲的文藝複興運動,曆經十七、十八世紀的啟蒙運動及受到西方平等自由主義和民主思想的傳統影響。因此分別從「歐洲文藝複興運動和人權思想的萌芽」、「歐洲啟蒙運動與第一代人權運動的發展」、「社會主義運動與第二代人權運動的發展」、「民族自決運動與第三代人權運動的發展」第四個階段來說明人權觀念的展現過程。其次,就結合國際人權法典與民主憲政制度運作的機制來論述現代人權所具有的豐富內涵,包括「公民的自由權和政治權」、「社會權、經濟權和文化權」、「民族、人民和人類的集體權利」以及「一些特殊人類群體的權利」等保障措施。經由以上之探討,我們發現對人權意義的理解,不僅可以呈現人權觀念對人類社會發展的重要價值,同時也可以從人性內在發展的角度,呈現人權所具有展現豐富的人文精神與生命價值的重要意涵。由此才可以理解當今人權觀念對現實世界所具的卓越影響力。
Human rights is undeniably one of the most important concepts which has shaped our society. The various and even opposing politics and ideologies controlling the interpretations of the term itself have added to the term’s own complexity. This paper discusses the genealogy of human rights: its formation during the European Renaissance in the Fifteenth and Sixteenth Century, and its evolution in the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Century under the influence of ideas from the Enlightenment, the concept of freedom and equality, and democracy.The paper roughly divides the genealogy of human rights into four eras: First, European Renaissance and the genesis of human rights; second, European Enlightenment and first phase human rights movement; third, Socialist movements and second phase human rights movement; finally, nationalism and third phase human rights movement. By exploring the interconnection between human rights and other relevant ideas and practices, such as the international human rights law, and the mechanism of constitution, the paper attempts to introduce rich meanings to what we conceptualize as human rights today. In addition, the paper calls attention to the significance of the concept of human rights in the development of human society. It maintains that the concept of human rights is a priceless asset owned by the human race as such a concept enriches the spirit of humanity and helps us better understand the value of our own lives.