Comparative Study of the Theories of Hume and Kant in the Field of Justice and Freedom in Relation to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is one of the most important texts of international law. Its effect shows that it is not unfounded. Now the question is, what are the basics of the declaration, especially its basics about justice and freedom? Because the introduction and the text of the declaration consider freedom and justice as the most basic human rights. To understand these basics, it is necessary to have a brief look at the ideas raised in the philosophy of law in order to understand the place of freedom and justice in the Universal Declaration. This article analyzes the principles of the Declaration by focusing on the ideas of Kant and Hume about justice and freedom. This analysis is based on a case study of several evidences from the preamble and materials of the Universal Declaration. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is the result of epistemological and philosophical thoughts in modernity; therefore, the foundations of this declaration should be sought in the thoughts of the great philosophers of this era. Although the modern era has seen great thinkers, the ideas of Kant and Hume have been turning points in the history of the philosophy of law and politics in this era. The findings of this research show the alignment of the declaration with Kant's thoughts in the field of justice and freedom. Although Hume had a significant influence on modernity, the theme of justice and freedom in the Universal Declaration was more influenced by Kant than by Hume. In Kant's view, freedom is an important feature in human life. It can almost be said that Kant's intellectual foundation in the field of practical reason is based on freedom. This shows that Kant considers justice and freedom as an eternal and inalienable right and value. In fact, Kant considered freedom as a comprehensive and absolute principle that does not depend on the will of the legislator; like other liberals who considered freedom as the highest value and justice as subordinate to it. The writings of these two thinkers in the field of justice and freedom show the ups and downs of justice in modernity, as a result of which Hume's ideas lost their effectiveness due to numerous problems, and after that, Kant's beliefs were able to give new life to legal and political liberalism, which is the product of It is the Universal Declaration of Humanity as a comprehensive prescription for the development of liberalism. Despite the abundance of writings about the Universal Declaration, the difference of this article is in determining the relationship of this declaration with justice and freedom based on the reading of these two thinkers. Not to examine the general concepts of justice and freedom or their relationship with the general concept of human rights.