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The Idea of Human Rights

  • Marie-Luisa FrickEmail author
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Abstract

This chapter is devoted to the axiological-normative underpinnings of the idea of human rights. These are explained with reference to the history of human rights thought. As regards the equality dimension of human rights, I in particular discuss the question how the “human” in human rights is defined and propose a negative-anthropological and political approach instead of a mere biological definition. The liberty dimension of human rights is explored with special emphasis on criticism according to which human rights presuppose social atomism and attach too little importance to duties.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Department of PhilosophyUniversity of InnsbruckInnsbruckAustria

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