A Note on Rights

3 Pages Posted: 21 Oct 2008

See all articles by R. Edward Freeman

R. Edward Freeman

University of Virginia - Darden School of Business

Scott Sonenshein

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Scott B. Sonenshein

Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan

Multiple version iconThere are 2 versions of this paper

Abstract

This note explains the idea of rights. It examines such distinctions as positive versus negative rights, and fundamental versus derivative rights.

Excerpt

UVA-E-0188

A NOTE ON RIGHTS

One important facet of ethical theory focuses on the concept of “rights.” A rights approach to ethics holds that people have certain moral rights simply by virtue of being human. These rights are independent of the culture, the historical context, or the social institutions in which people find themselves. Everyone should be entitled to realize these rights, though in fact they may not be universally recognized. Rights are necessary for human dignity. Without the rights to life and liberty, living as a full human being is virtually impossible.

Rights theorists often distinguish between positive and negative rights. Negative rights are the rights not to be interfered with, harmed, or threatened, and the right to be free to do as one pleases so long as those actions do not interfere with others' similar rights. It is often argued that basic rights include only negative rights, because only these sorts of rights apply universally to every human being. Some candidates for negative rights include:

· the right to life,

· the right to liberty,

. . .

Keywords: ethical issues

Suggested Citation

Freeman, R. Edward and Sonenshein, Scott and Sonenshein, Scott B., A Note on Rights. Darden Case No. UVA-E-0188, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1277726 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1277726

R. Edward Freeman (Contact Author)

University of Virginia - Darden School of Business ( email )

P.O. Box 6550
Charlottesville, VA 22906-6550
United States
804-924-0935 (Phone)
804-924-6378 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://www.darden.virginia.edu/faculty/freeman.htm

Scott Sonenshein

affiliation not provided to SSRN

No Address Available

Scott B. Sonenshein

Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan ( email )

701 Tappan Street
Ann Arbor, MI MI 48109
United States

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
18
Abstract Views
556
PlumX Metrics