| dc.description.abstract | Combining the fields of Human Rights Philosophy and Buddhist thought, this study explores the relationship between self-recognition and equality. My assumption is that there is a close relationship between these two notions and frameworks, and I argue that a clear understanding of individual identity is central to formulating a comprehensive notion of equality. The thesis will first analyze sources of normative and political philosophy which discuss the principle of equality on a theoretical level, and those sources of normative philosophy including Buddhism which discuss and reflect the identity concept. This research will also examine un-uniformity in the theories of equality; I argue that still, the principle of equality requires commonly acceptable and comprehensive definition. The key question of my research is how solid understanding of individual identity is related to our understanding of equality. This study will investigate the utility of the identity concept to develop a comprehensive understanding of equality. Thus, "recognition of identity" (self recognition) and "understanding of Equality" become the major two elements of this study. Finally, I want to suggest that identity recognition is essential to the quest of understanding equality. | nb_NO |
