Rights in the Western Tradition

“Rights,” in Erwin Fahlbusch, ed., The Encyclopedia of Christianity (Grand Rapids/Cambridge/ Leiden/Boston: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. and Brill, 2005), vol. 4, 701-709

Emory Public Law Research Paper No. 05-21

15 Pages Posted: 6 Jul 2005 Last revised: 13 Nov 2014

Abstract

This Article provides a brief analysis of the main stages of Western theories of rights and liberties: (1) classic Roman views of objective and subjective rights and liberties; (2) medieval Catholic views of rights and liberties rooted in natural law and corporate charters; (3) early modern Protestant views of rights and liberties rooted in biblical commands and natural orders; (4) modern Enlightenments views grounded in human nature and social contracts, and reflected in constitutional texts and cases; and (5) the proliferation and diversification of universal rights talk in the aftermath of World War II.

Keywords: Rights, western tradition, liberties, natural law, human nature, universal rights

Suggested Citation

Witte, John, Rights in the Western Tradition. “Rights,” in Erwin Fahlbusch, ed., The Encyclopedia of Christianity (Grand Rapids/Cambridge/ Leiden/Boston: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. and Brill, 2005), vol. 4, 701-709, Emory Public Law Research Paper No. 05-21, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=753484

John Witte (Contact Author)

Emory University School of Law ( email )

1301 Clifton Road
Atlanta, GA 30322
United States
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404-712-8605 (Fax)

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