Universalism and Particularism: Exploring the nexus
Published date | 01 December 2021 |
DOI | 10.1177/00207020221085749 |
Author | Palak Singh,Gopal K. Parihar |
Date | 01 December 2021 |
Subject Matter | Scholarly Essay |
Scholarly Essay
International Journal
2021, Vol. 76(4) 511–521
© The Author(s) 2022
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DOI: 10.1177/00207020221085749
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Universalism and
Particularism: Exploring the
nexus
Palak Singh
Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
Gopal K. Parihar
Dayalbagh Educational Institute, Agra, India
Abstract
This paper analyzes the conflictual relation that the concepts of “Universalism”and
“Particularism”share and how the debate informs our understanding of human rights.
To study the concept further, the paper takes the case of the current COVID-19
pandemic to explore the tensions and possible assimilations between universalistic and
particularistic frameworks using empirical evidence to explore the intersectional
impact on human rights in current times.
Keywords
Universalism, Particularism, conceptual conflict, human rights, COVID-19,
intersectionality
Universalism and Particularism are two issues in Political Philosophy which seem to
have irreconcilable strands, the debate between the two spanning decades of differ-
ences, and still seeming relevant even in current times.
A universalist conception implies an attempt to “find ways of transcending cultural
differences to achieve some universal principles—principles binding on all under all or
most circumstances,”and asks, “how can we as a community, made up of diverse
Corresponding author:
Palak Singh, Faculty of Social Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India.
Email: kulkulpalak14@gmail.com
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