A Note on Rights
3 Pages Posted: 21 Oct 2008
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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
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