Rejoinder to Wendell Bell

Summary

Sigurd N. Skirbekk, ‘Future Predictions—Human Rights’ Wendell Bell, ‘What Ought We Do to Construct a Good Future? A Response to Sigurd N. Skirbekk’; and Sigurd N. Skirbekk: ‘Rejoinder to Wendell Bell’, Forum for Development Studies, 1999: 1, pp. 151–166.

According to Skirbekk sociologists are able to predict future human conditions in a more sophisticated manner than by merely prolonging statistical trends. Sociology opens up for analysing processes determined by structures which go beyond the intentions of actors; in addition sociology provides information regarding functional limits to structural processes. On this basis Skirbekk predicts that the widespread support for the contemporary version of the UN Declaration of Human Rights will cease during the next century, partly because of the unintended consequences of a morality that is one-sidedly based upon individual rights, partly because of uncontrolled demographic development, and primarily because population rights will collide with ecological limits. According to Skirbekk, these challenges make it necessary to elaborate another basis for global norms than those agreed upon in 1948.

Wendell Bell presents a more optimistic view on the future of the UNDHR and argues that several articles in the Declaration could plead for a more responsible response to demographic and ecological challenges. The Declaration, he argues, may serve as a guide for the future well-being of humanity.