This subject deals with philosophical issues concerning rights. It examines views about the nature and justification of rights and the duties associated with them. It asks what rights we have against our governments, what duties and obligations we have towards our fellow citizens, as well as whether there is any conflict between democracy and rights. It also considers whether people have universal human rights and how they are related to other views about values and obligations. Finally, it addresses some controversial issues: If human rights are universal, do we have obligations to citizens of other nations? Is there a human right to health? Does global poverty constitute a human rights violation?

Subject rules