The right to live or to live well? Refugees’ quest for entitlement: A reflection through Aristotle’s and Arendt’s lenses

Abstract

The term “life” is undoubtedly a concept that legislators can no longer fail to understand in present times, certainly with a burning migration crisis at the forefront. The study explores the intrinsic relationship between the concepts of “life” and “rights” through the lens of ancient philosophy, in particular Aristotle’ seminal writing. The distinction between “bios” and “zoe,” as recognised by the latter, is analysed and reconsidered in contemporary contexts, within the framework of modern human rights and the challenges posed by the global migration crisis. Challenging thereby the philosopher Agamben, who maintains a dichotomy between the biological and the political body—albeit blurred by his conception of “naked life,” the study argues for a nuanced interpretation of Aristotle’s oeuvre, allowing for the recognition of a complementary—if not inseparable—connection between biological life and political existence. Through a further interlacing with Hannah Arendt’s concept of “the right to have rights,” the article aims to apply this framework to refugees’ situations, emphasizing the intertwined nature of life and political recognition. In a forward-looking perspective, it is hoped to raise reflexive stances on the contemporary right to life, whose complete comprehending hinges on recognizing its innate political dimension.