steepholm

I think you've pretty much hit the crux of the difference between modern and pre-modern attitudes. Taking it a step further, this may be one of the fundamental differences between the Islamic world-view and the post-Enlightenment world-view of the West. I know I tend to think more in terms of obligation and duty to others more than rights,or perhaps that for each right or privilege we have, there is a corresponding obligation. It's a very Roman way of looking at things, at least in the ideal.