“The notion of obligations comes before that of rights, which is subordinate and relative to the former. A right is not effectual by itself, but only in relation to the obligation to which it corresponds, the effective exercise of a right springing not from the individual who possesses it, but from other men who consider themselves as being under a certain obligation towards him. Recognition of an obligation makes it effectual. An obligation which goes unrecognized by anybody loses none of the full force of its existence. A right which goes unrecognized by anybody is not worth very much.
It makes nonsense to say that men have, on the one hand, rights, and on the other hand, obligations. Such words only express differences in point of view. The actual relationship between the two is as between object and subject. A man, considered in isolation, only has duties, amongst which are certain duties towards himself. A man left alone in the universe would have no rights whatever, but he would have obligations.”
― Simone Weil, The Need for Roots: Prelude to a Declaration of Duties towards Mankind
IMO The golden goose providing the balance between rights and obligations has been killed. Its eggs are being eaten. When they are gone we will learn what we have lost and shudder.
Assuming that we agree that a balance between voluntary obligations and rights is essential for maintaining a free society the question for me is if it is possible when the dominant motive for the fallen human condition is the drive for prestige? I agree with Simone Weil that the higher values essential for collective freedom must come from above and certain individuals are necessary to make the world aware of our conscious connection to the above
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/questionofgod/voices/weil.html
Profession of Faith
There is a reality outside the world, that is to say, outside space and time, outside man's mental universe, outside any sphere whatsoever that is accessible to human faculties.
Corresponding to this reality, at the centre of the human heart, is the longing for an absolute good, a longing which is always there and is never appeased by any object in this world.
Another terrestrial manifestation of this reality lies in the absurd and insoluble contradictions which are always the terminus of human thought when it moves exclusively in this world.
Just as the reality of this world is the sole foundation of facts, so that other reality is the sole foundation of good.
That reality is the unique source of all the good that can exist in this world: that is to say, all beauty, all truth, all justice, all legitimacy, all order, and all human behaviour that is mindful of obligations.
Those minds whose attention and love are turned towards that reality are the sole intermediary through which good can descend from there and come among men…………………………………..
If she is right, the secular world strives to eliminate what is essential for freedom to survive. It asserts that as we are, we are able to collectively adopt voluntary obligations for the sake of human rights even though prestige is the dominating worldly emotion.
Do you agree with her or do you believe societal Man, without the help of grace, will become able to “feel” the value of adopting voluntary obligations essential for a functioning free society?