Human Right Concept: Historical Evolution, Philosophy and Distortions

Human right concept (including its assumed particulars) was until the immediate post-World War 11 era referred to as natural right; and same derived from natural law (a concept in philosophy discourse). It has in todays world of politics and positive law, among others, assumed the status of universal core value presumed to bind together all human persons. Despite the unanimity of opinions in terms of the assumed characteristics of the particulars of the universal-human right, divergences bedevil views on the assumed particulars of human right. Such divergences largely emanate from weak knowledge of the historical evolution, including the epistemological and logical foundation of natural (human) right. This book gives an insightful overview of the historical foundation and the epistemology of natural (human) right; including its being a logical derivative/efflux from the humanness of every person which equally remain inherent in all persons. It concludes with the view that all assumed human rights enunciated in the different global declarations and conventions constitute category mistake by virtue of their phenomenal and social characteristics.

Lucky Oritsetojumi AKARUESE holds a doctorate degree in philosophy, specializing in Social Ethics/Human Right Philosophy, from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka; after obtaining his Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees, also in Philosophy from the then University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Ile-Ife, Nigeria. He thought philosophy in the University of Uyo, Uyo, also in Nigeria before moving to teach Philosophy in the University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt where he has served as Head of Department of Philosophy. During the period of military dictatorship in Nigeria, specifically the Ibrahim Babangida and Sanni Abacha eras, Akaruese was a leading figure in the Pro-Democracy/Human Right Movements, and this earned him umpteen detentions and malicious prosecutions; all of which came to an end with the sudden death of Sanni Abacha. Akaruese is a widely travelled academic who has visited all the continents of the globe, besides Australia.