Philosophy of Human Rights: Readings in Context (Paragon Issues in Philosophy) - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1557787905 ISBN 13: 9781557787903

Publisher: Paragon House, 2001

Synopsis

The Philosophy of Human Rights brings together an extensive collection of classical and contemporary writings on the topic of human rights, including genocide, ethnic cleansing, minority cultures, gay and lesbian rights, and the environment, providing an exceptionally comprehensive introduction. Sources include authors such as Aristotle, Cicero, Thomas Aquinas, Confucius, Hobbes, Locke, rant. Marx, Gandhi. Hart, Feinberg, Nussbaum, the Dalai Lama, Derrida, Lyocard and Rorty. Ideal for courses in human rights, social theory, ethical theory, and political science, each reading; begins with a brief introduction, and is followed with study questions and suggested further readings.

About this title

About the Author

Patrick Hayden is Professor of Political Theory and International Relations at the University of St Andrews, UK. His books include (as editor) Hannah Arendt: Key Concepts (2014); Political Evil in a Global Age: Hannah Arendt and International Theory (2009), Critical Theories of Globalization (2006, with Chamsy el-Ojeili) and Cosmopolitan Global Politics (2005).

From the Inside Flap

NO ANTHOLOGY LIKE IT "An excellent collection of readings combining traditional Western perspectives on human rights with feminist, multicultural and environmental perspectives. There is no other anthology out there like it." James P. Sterba, Professor of Philosophy, Fellow of the Institute for International Peace Studies, University of Notre Dame

MOST EXTENSIVE READER AVAILABLE "This is the most extensive, and far reaching, reader available covering theoretical issues connected with human rights. In Part One, Hayden offers substantial excerpts from the Western tradition of political theory from Plato and Aristotle through Marx and Mill; major contemporary philosophical works by authors ranging from Hart, Cranston, and Feinberg to Nussbaum, Rorty, and Derrida; and a good selection of non-Western sources. That alone would make a fine book. But Part Two provides another three hundred pages of thoughtful theoretical discussions of contemporary issues including relativism, group rights, humanitarian intervention, women's rights, gays and lesbians, and the environment. Each part also has a good selection of basic documents. And the suggested readings provide genuinely helpful direction. The Philosophy of Human Rights is in every way an excellent effort and a lot of book for the money." Jack Donnelly, Andrew W. Mellon Professor Graduate School of International Studies, University of Denver

Reviews

This thick compendium includes the greats of Western thoughtAPlato, Aristotle, Aquinas, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Kant, Marx, and MillAas well as Mary Wollstonecraft on women's rights, Grotius on war, and a slim 64 pages on "non-Western" thought. Unfortunately, Hayden, a South African who directs peace and justice studies at New England College, has skewed his entries. In describing the Islamic tradition, Abdullahi Ahmed An-Na'im leaves the door open for its reform to include such things as women's rights, but there is no sign of liberal Islamic writers like M.M. Sharif. With few exceptions, the contemporary philosophers (who fill nearly half the book) belong to the Anglo-American analytic tradition. Jacques Derrida appears alone among French philosophers. Martha Nussbaum and others write about feminism, but the philosophical underpinnings of the powerful French feminist movement are missing. Charles Taylor contributes a short essay about international perspectives, but his writings about group rights are missing. The whole UN Declaration on Human Rights is included, as are several international conventions, but the declaration's economic rights are given scant attention. The book will meet the expectations of many philosophy teachers, but librarians looking for a book they can recommend as an overview on human rights should regard it with caution.ALeslie Armour, Univ. of Ottawa
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Paragon House
• Publication date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1557787905
• ISBN 13: 9781557787903
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 722
• Editor: Hayden Patrick