An Introduction to RightsThis is the only accessible and readable introduction to the history, logic, moral implications, and political tendencies of the idea of rights. It is organized chronologically, and discusses important events, such as the French Revolution. As an undergraduate text it is well-suited to introductions to political philosophy, moral philosophy, and ethics. It could also be used in courses on political theory in departments of political science and government, and in courses on legal theory in law schools. |
Contents
The Prehistory of Rights | 3 |
The Rights of Man The Enlightenment | 15 |
Mischievous Nonsense? | 41 |
The Nineteenth Century Consolidation and Retrenchment | 61 |
The Conceptual Neighborhood of Rights Wesley Newcomb Hohfeld | 87 |
The Second Expansionary Era | 103 |
The Universal Declaration and a Revolt Against Utilitarianism | 105 |
The Nature of Rights Choice Theory and Interest Theory | 119 |
A Right to Do Wrong? Two Conceptions of Moral Rights | 133 |
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Common terms and phrases
action actor African appeal Austin autonomy benefit Bentham Burke Choice Theory civil claim claim-right against interference concept of rights consequences consequentialism consequentialist contractualism contractualist correlative duty Court culture deny distinction duties of noninterference easy rescue enforcement entail example exercise existence fact fortune cookie Godwin Grotius Grotius's H. L. A. Hart Hobbes Hohfeld Hohfeldian human rights important impose individual Interest Theory justice justificatory legal duty legal rights Locke Locke's means metaethical moral claim-right moral duty moral options moral permission moral rights morally wrongful nations natural rights Paley person Phillipa Foot philosophy political possible principle protected-choice conception protected-permission conception protection Pufendorf question reaction-constraining recognized respect right to liberty right-holder right-holder's rule utilitarianism second expansionary period seems sense simply slavery social sovereign special rights specific subjective right Suppose thing Trolley Problem U.S. Constitution U.S. Supreme Court Universal Declaration utility violated Wesley Newcomb Hohfeld