Ethics of Human Rights

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xviii

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2. Introduction

   • A. Reis Monteiro

   Pages 1-15

3. Ethics and Human Rights

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 17-17

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   2. Overview of Ethical Thought

      • A. Reis Monteiro

      Pages 19-43

   3. Historical and Theoretical Rising of Human Rights and Their International Codification and Protection

      • A. Reis Monteiro

      Pages 45-157

4. Human Rights: Common Ethics of Humankind

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 159-159

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   2. Ethics of Recognition

      • A. Reis Monteiro

      Pages 161-198

   3. Human Dignity Principle

      • A. Reis Monteiro

      Pages 199-326

   4. Other Principles

      • A. Reis Monteiro

      Pages 327-351

5. Human Rights Revolution

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 353-353

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   2. A Changed and Changing Legal Landscape

      • A. Reis Monteiro

      Pages 355-388

   3. Answering Some Questions

      • A. Reis Monteiro

      Pages 389-422

   4. Conclusion

      • A. Reis Monteiro

      Pages 423-439

6. Back Matter

   Pages 441-540

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This volume focuses on the ethical significance of human rights, aiming at contributing to a universal culture of human rights with deep roots and wide horizons. Its purpose, scope and rationale are reflected in the three-part structure of the manuscript. Part I has a broad introductory historical, theoretical and legal character. Part II submits that an Ethics of Human Rights is best understood as an Ethics of Recognition of human worth, dignity and rights. Moreover, it is argued that human worth consists in the perfectibility of the human species, rooted in its semiotic nature, to be accomplished through the perfecting of human beings, for which the right to education is key. In Part III, the main legal and political outcomes of the Human Rights Revolution are described and answers to the most lasting and common criticisms of human rights are provided. To conclude, the human stature of the Big Five drafters of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is profiled and the priority that should be recognized to human rights education is highlighted. Some appendices supplement the manuscript. While making a case for the high value and liberating power of the idea and ideal of human rights, objections, controversies and uncertainties are not at all overlooked and emerging issues are explored. The diversity of content of this volume meets many needs of the typical syllabus for a human rights course.

• Advent of the United Nations
• Commission on Human Rights
• Common Ethics of Humanity
• Common Responsibility Of Humankind
• Declaration of Human Rights
• Declarations of Rights
• Democracy, Development And Peace
• Development Of Human Rights
• Dignity And Abortion
• Dignity And Corporal Punishment
• Dignity And Death Penalty
• Dignity And Freedom Of Speech
• Dignity And Sexuality
• Dignity And Treatment Of Prisoners
• Dignity In Death
• Dignity Of Life
• Dignity, Autonomy And Privacy
• Equality And Diversity
• Ethics and Human Rights
• Historical Outlook Of Ethical Though
• Human Rights Protection
• Human Rights Revolution
• Human Rights Treaties
• Human Worth
• Human dignity
• Human rights
• International Covenants on Human Rights
• Life And Liberty
• Morality and Human Rights
• Natural Law And Natural Rights
• Non-discrimination
• Normative Ethics
• Tolerance And Solidarity
• United Nations Charter and the Human Rights

“Written in a clear style, even advanced undergraduates will be able to follow the discussion, while human rights experts will find here a rare compendium of definitions, core ideas and fundamental clarifications. Because of its unique achievement in conceptualising human rights studies, Ethics of Human Rights is essential for masters or doctoral students as a departure point for research in political philosophy or human rights education.” (Yves Laberge, Political Studies Review, Vol. 13 (4), 2015)

• University of Lisbon, Portugal

  A. Reis Monteiro

Policies and ethics