duties of humanity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "duties of humanity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing moral or ethical responsibilities that individuals or societies have towards others or the world at large. Example: "As global citizens, we must recognize the duties of humanity to protect the environment and support those in need."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Duties of humanity often depend on special circumstances.

SEP

(DJN III.3.1; Pufendorf 1994a, p. 165) This introduces the important distinction between perfect and imperfect duties, the latter consisting of so-called duties of humanity which, though owed in the same sense as perfect duties, cannot be compelled.

SEP

(Cavallar 2002, 2008; Hunter 2007a) Since imperfect duties of humanity do not suffice for maintaining social relations, particularly those involving precise mutual expectations, Pufendorf introduces (DJN III.4) another class of absolute duties arising from pacts among individuals.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

He said, "It is a duty of humanity to acknowledge that Armenians remember the suffering of that period, just like every other citizen of the Ottoman empire".

The New Yorker

He writes, for example: "There is a certain respect, and a general duty of humanity, that attaches us not only to animals, who have life and feeling, but even to trees and plants.

The Guardian - Opinion

His main arguments are, first, that the state has obligations which transcend the national interest and include a duty of humanity towards refugees; and, secondly, that the state has no right to exclude immigrants, except where the indigenous community is genuinely in danger of "submersion" by newcomers.

The Economist

Do we not feel, if not a high moral duty, the visceral pull of humanity?

Independent

Call it "war" and along come glory, duty, courage, sacrifice: the best of humanity writ large.

Huffington Post

In this way it should be recognised that all of humanity is owed duties by virtue of its inherent rationality, irrespective of its members' particular gender, "race, religion or status" (PE 207).

SEP

Kant, for example, supports humane behavior towards animals as a reflection of our humanity (Kant c. 1790), but cloning mammoths themselves is not particularly reflective of our duties towards humanity, as this involves animals that are not currently in existence, perhaps dispensing with any obligations owed them.

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

Whether we like it or not, we, being a part of humanity, have the same duties that others have as well as the same rights.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "duties of humanity", ensure the context clearly defines which specific actions or responsibilities are being referred to. Be specific about the actors who bear these duties (individuals, organizations, governments).

Common error

Avoid using "duties of humanity" in vague or overly general statements. Without specific examples, the phrase can sound platitudinous and lack practical meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "duties of humanity" primarily functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes a set of moral or ethical obligations. Ludwig provides examples demonstrating its use in discussions of international law, social relations, and general ethical considerations.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "duties of humanity" refers to the moral and ethical responsibilities that individuals and societies have towards others. While Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, its usage is relatively rare. It frequently appears in contexts related to science, news, and encyclopedias. When using this phrase, it's important to be specific about the duties being discussed to avoid generalizations. Alternatives include "humanitarian obligations" and "moral responsibilities to mankind".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

humanitarian obligations

Focuses on the obligations related to humanitarian aid and assistance.

moral responsibilities to mankind

Emphasizes the moral aspect of responsibilities towards all humans.

ethical duties to humanity

Highlights the ethical nature of the duties, often in a philosophical context.

obligations to all people

Simplifies the phrase to focus on obligations to individuals.

responsibilities to the human race

Uses "human race" instead of "humanity", slightly altering the tone.

humanitarian imperative

Conveys a sense of urgency and necessity in fulfilling these duties.

collective responsibility to humanity

Stresses that these duties are shared among a group or society.

global citizenship responsibilities

Links the duties to the concept of being a global citizen.

universal moral obligations

Emphasizes the universality of these moral duties.

shared duties to humankind

Highlights that these duties are shared among people and focuses on "humankind".

FAQs

How can I use "duties of humanity" in a sentence?

You can use "duties of humanity" to refer to the moral or ethical obligations that people or societies have towards each other. For example, "Providing aid to refugees is one of the fundamental "duties of humanity"".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "duties of humanity"?

Some alternatives include "humanitarian obligations", "moral responsibilities to mankind", or "ethical duties to humanity". The best choice depends on the specific context.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the phrase "duties of humanity"?

The phrase "duties of humanity" is appropriate in discussions about ethics, international relations, humanitarian aid, and human rights. It is suitable for formal and academic writing, as well as news reporting on related topics.

What is the difference between "duties of humanity" and "human rights"?

"Duties of humanity" refers to the moral or ethical obligations that individuals or societies have towards others, while "human rights" are the fundamental rights inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any other status. One implies the responsibility to act; the other, the right to be treated in a certain way.