GROUNDWORK OF THE RIGHTS OF PEOPLE WITH ASD: or A historical-philosophical investigation of the metaphysical foundations of legal protection for people with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Philosophy of Law; History of Law; History of Philosophy; Disability Rights
This research investigates the metaphysical foundations of legal protection for people with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) from a historical-philosophical perspective. The focus is on philosophy, the history of philosophy, the history of law, and the history of the philosophy of law. This work aims to address the issue of ensuring the rights of individuals with ASD and recognizing them as equal and free subjects of rights in a modern and just society. The focus is on contributing to a jusphilosophical foundation for the recognition and effective guarantee of rights by the state. To achieve this, we aim to demonstrate that throughout Western history, there has been ample philosophical support for recognizing individuals with ASD and disabilities as rights-bearing subjects. We will conduct literary research on the ideas of leading authors in the field. Thus, this study sought to establish a foundation for legal protection for people with ASD by analysing the arguments of various historical periods and thinkers, including Israelite, Stoic, Platonic, Aristotelian, Ciceronian, Early-Christian/Augustinian, Kantian, and Rawlsian thought. The aim was to identify a more fundamental basis for such protection than positive law. Methodologically, this study employed qualitative research through literary consultation of the authors and periods mentioned. The study concludes that the ideas of equality, freedom, dignity, and justice, which have always existed, provide a sufficient philosophical foundation for the recognition of rights for people with ASD and the public policies needed to realize these rights.