An introduction to rights /
William A. Edmundson.
- xv, 223 p.
- Cambridge introductions to philosophy and law .
- Cambridge introductions to philosophy and law. .
Includes bibliographical references and index.
The First Expansionary Era -- The Prehistory of Rights -- The Rights of Man: the Enlightenment -- "Mischievous Nonsense"? -- The Nineteenth Century: Consolidation and Retrenchment -- The Conceptual Neighborhood of Rights: Wesley Newcomb Hohfeld -- The Second Expansionary Era -- The Universal Declaration, and a Revolt Against Utilitarianism -- The Nature of Rights: "Choice" Theory and "Interest" Theory -- A Right to Do Wrong? Two Conceptions of Moral Rights -- The Pressure of Consequentialism -- What Is Interference? -- The Future of Rights -- Conclusion. Pt. 1. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Pt. 2. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.
"An Introduction to Rights 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 historical events such as the French Revolution. It deals with historical figures, including Grotius, Paley, Hobbes, Locke, Bentham, Burke, Godwin, Mill, and Hohfeld, and covers contemporary debates, including consequentialism versus contractualism." "As an undergraduate text, An Introduction to Rights is well-suited to introductions to political philosophy, moral philosophy, and ethics. It may also be used in courses on political theory in departments of political science and government and in courses on legal theory in law schools."--BOOK JACKET.