
The Idea of Human Rights
Four Inquiries
Michael J. Perry(Author)
Oxford University Press Inc
Published on 19. March 1998
Book
Hardback
176 pages
978-0-19-511636-6 (ISBN)
Description
Of all the influential--indeed, formative--moral ideas to occupy centre stage in the twentieth century, the notion of human rights is for many the most difficult. Inspired by a 1988 trip to El Salvador, Michael Perry's new book explores this idea in full. His typically lucid exposition of this complex issue (one so rich in social, political, and philosophical implications, especially at the international level) is rooted in the recognition that every human being is sacred, "inviolable," has "inherent dignity" and worth, and is an end to himself. Therefore, in Perry's view, the concept of human rights is inescapably religious.
But are human rights universal? And are they absolute? The latest thinking from one of our nation's leading authorities on morality, politics, and religion, The Idea of Human Rights: Four Inquiries addresses these questions adroitly. The legal and moral dimensions of "rights" rhetoric itself--such as its meanings and functions--are also carefully considered.
But are human rights universal? And are they absolute? The latest thinking from one of our nation's leading authorities on morality, politics, and religion, The Idea of Human Rights: Four Inquiries addresses these questions adroitly. The legal and moral dimensions of "rights" rhetoric itself--such as its meanings and functions--are also carefully considered.
Reviews / Votes
Perry refers to a wide range of contempory writing by leading human rights lawyers, Anglo-American philosophers and theolgians. Writing with integrity and in a careful but informal style, he highlights the major contemporary debates on "the difficult idea of human rights". The Cambridge Law Journal 01/04/1999More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 157 mm
Thickness: 14 mm
Weight
409 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-511636-6 (9780195116366)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
01/1998
1st Edition
OUP eBook
€26.49
Available for download

E-Book
01/1998
1st Edition
OUP eBook
€33.99
Available for download
Person
Author
University Distinguished Chair in LawUniversity Distinguished Chair in Law, Wake Forest University