Homo sapiens is
the name for the human species that exist today. Based on the etymology, homo
sapiens is the species name comes from the New Latin, namely homo, the genus
name, which means man/human; and
sapiens is the specific epithet which means wise and intelligent.
Homo sapiens is also called humankind
or human.
Humanity refers
to the quality or human kindness to other humans or/and the animals (other
beings).
Based on the
above meanings of homo sapiens, that humans are wise and intelligent, then the
value of the human person is only meaningful if he can express his feelings and/or
thoughts proportionally (wise and intelligent).
There are many
ways of expression. The expression is a human effort to communicate, to
interact and to exist among other humans. Expression can be either oral or
written, also in the form of any visualization on any media. The work of art is
a form of self-expression that also need to be protected and cherished.
Paintings, photographs, self-portraits, grooming, poetry, songs, music, dance. Even
the architecture of a house where a man lives, the order of the village, and up
to the order of a city is a form of expression on a broader scale, of a
community and/or a city government.
Then there is the
slogan of "Humanity City". From various references, it can be
concluded that the humanity city is a city where every human being can perform his/her
function as the creature walk upright or move by himself/herself, being that his/her
existence is accompanied by a variety of the rights of universal freedom, among
others, the right to a healthy environment, service of health and safety,
including the freedom of expression, and freedom from fear.
Back to the title
and theme of this paper. Freedom of expression is guaranteed as a human right
both in every independent state in the national constitution, and in the
international world, human relations among nations. For the people of Indonesia
there is the Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia in 1945 (UUD RI 1945),
generally in the Preamble of the Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia in
1945 and in particular to Article 28 in the Constitution body.
Every human
recognized his/her right to expression, but there is a limit to realize that the
right can be used universally and proportionate, without violating other human
rights. This right is guaranteed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. More
detail can be traced to Article 19, as follows:
Everyone has
the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to
hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information
and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
However, 'without
restriction' is not without limits at all. This is further explained in Article
29, which consists of three paragraphs, namely:
- Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible.
- In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone should be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society.
- These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
What is
meant by the purposes and principles of the UN here is what is also contained
in the Preamble of the Declaration of
Human Rights, that is:
Whereas
recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of
all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace
in the world,
Whereas
disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which
have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which
human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and
want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,
Whereas it
is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort,
to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be
protected by the rule of law,
Whereas it
is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations,
Whereas the
peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in
fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in
the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social
progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,
Whereas
Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in cooperation with the
United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human
rights and fundamental freedoms,
Whereas a
common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance
for the full realization of this pledge,
Now,
therefore, The General Assembly, Proclaims this Universal Declaration of Human
Rights as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to
the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration
constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect
for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and
international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and
observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the
peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.
As for the
academic world, as institutions advancing the science and knowledge in dealing
with the challenges of life. But if without the accompaniment of the essential of
human values, it will get to be futile. This is confirmed by the President of
Yale University, who cites Lei Zhang’s, “The humanities
are fundamental to reason. Isolating data and technology from the humanities is
like trying to swim without water; The humanities provide the context—the
possibility of real understanding—for all that the future promises.”
Peter Salovey
finished his speech with this:
Now, as then, we must value the humanities even in the
midst of conflict and division. Only through the humanities can we prepare
leaders of empathy, imagination, and understanding—responsive and responsible
leaders who embrace complexity and diversity. Our institutions must also play a
leadership role by making the treasures of the humanities widely available. It
is our responsibility to prepare the leaders of tomorrow, and to elevate and
protect “the heritage of the human experience” that we all share.
More details, you
can read on Why we need the humanities more than ever, by the President of Yale, in its original version.
~ That's All ~
Other References:
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/human
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Homo%20sapiens
Analisis - Sintesis, Perenungan dan Pengalaman Diri.
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