THe Concept of :Rights" vs. the concept of "The Good"

 

The concept of "rights" is a modern one, born of nominalism and the myth of the state of nature, wherein the basic unit of reality is the autonomous individual, and the metaphysical default position is conflict.

I prefer to use premodern, Aristotelian language, and speak of the "good" for beings--be they plants, animals, or persons. The good is that state of flourishing, where a thing's potential is actualized. This perspective acknowledges that there are real relations between beings-- relations which are not constructed by individuals or groups, but are the result of the beings' natures. It also allows for the concept of the Common Good, as no being exists independently of others, but instead exists in community with other beings.

This premodern perspective seems to be more biblical, IMO. In Ephesians 4:25b Paul writes, "we are members of one another." and then in 5:21,"Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ." I find it difficult to square this with talk of "rights."