Myth Of Universal Human Rights

Philosophical challenge to the idea of human rights, arguing that the existence of universal human rights is a modern myth.

In this groundbreaking and provocative new book, philosopher of science David N. Stamos challenges the current conceptions of human rights, and argues that the existence of universal human rights is a modern myth. Using an evolutionary analysis to support his claims, Stamos traces the origin of the myth from the English Levellers of 1640s London to our modern day. Theoretical defenses of the belief in human rights are critically examined, including defenses of nonconsensus concepts. In the final chapter Stamos develops a method of naturalized normative ethics, which he then applies to topics routinely dealt with in terms of human rights. In all of this Stamos hopes to show that there is a better way of dealing with matters of ethics and justice, a way that involves applying the whole of our evolved moral being, rather than only parts of it, and that is fiction-free.

9. Limits to universality: Questions from Asia, Hatla Thelle.

Most Western liberal democracies are parties to the United Nations Refugees Convention and all are committed to the recognition of basic human rights, but they also spend billions fortifying their borders, detaining unauthorised immigrants, and policing migration. Meanwhile, public debate over the West’s obligations to unauthorised immigrants is passionate, vitriolic, and divisive. Refugees and the Myth of Human Rights combines philosophical, historical, and legal analysis to clarify the key concepts at stake in the debate, and to demonstrate the threat posed by contemporary border regimes to rights protection and the rule of law within liberal democracies. Using the political philosophy of John Locke and Immanuel Kant the book highlights the tension in liberalism between partiality towards one’s compatriots and the universalism of human rights and brings this tension to life through an examination of Hannah Arendt’s account of the rise and decline of the modern nation-state. It provides a novel reading of Arendt’s critique of human rights and her concept of the right to have rights. The book argues that the right to have rights must be secured globally in limited form, but that recognition of its significance should spur expansive changes to border policy within and between liberal states.

Seeing the Myth in Human Rights explores the role of myth in the creation and propagation of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Drawing on records, publications, and speeches from the Declaration's creators as well as current scholarship on human rights, Jenna Reinbold sees the Declaration as an exemplar of modern mythmaking.

'This is a thorough and balanced work which examines the philosophical basis of human rights and tackles head on, the most commonly held suspicions and misconceptions – some of them politically motivated and deliberate – of human rights theory. If you specialize professionally or academically in the area of human rights legislation or even practical application, you'd find it useful to read this book. . .'– Phillip Taylor MBE and Elizabeth Taylor, The Barrister'The cause of human rights is powerfully expressed in these pages but equally the credibility gap that such a cause faces given the scale of human suffering in the world. Andrew Fagan offers a robust agenda of thought and action to pursue if we are serious about securing the universal enjoyment of human rights. The book is also an excellent introduction to contemporary philosophical standpoints on both the theory and practice of human rights.'– Kevin Boyle, University of Essex, UK'The idea of human rights is one of the most familiar of our time. It is, however, not well understood and often abused. Andrew Fagan takes up the "myths" and "misunderstandings" most common among both supporters and critics of human rights, and seeks to develop a clear, well-founded account of the idea. His analysis challenges all those who believe that human rights are well established and that human rights theory is only a distraction from urgent practical work.'– Michael Freeman, University of Essex, UKThis comprehensive book offers both an introduction and a critical analysis of enduring themes and issues in the contemporary theory and practice of human rights. Providing a multi-disciplinary analysis, it engages with philosophical, political and social approaches to the subject of human rights.Andrew Fagan argues that the moral authority and practical efficacy of human rights are adversely affected by a range of myths and misunderstandings – from claims regarding the moral status of human rights as a fully comprehensive moral doctrine to the view that the possession of rights is antithetical to recognising the importance of moral duties. The author also examines the claim made by some that human rights ultimately only exists as legal phenomena and that nation-states are inherently hostile to the spirit of human rights. This book will challenge people to reconsider their understanding of human rights as a global moral outlook. This monograph will become essential reading for both postgraduate and undergraduate students interested in the field of human rights. It will also be invaluable to academics, researchers and human rights practitioners involved in the human rights debate.

The full text of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, with charming illustrations by Michel Streich. The book is a celebration of this landmark document.