Health, Rights and Dignity
Author | : Christian Erk |
Publisher | : Walter de Gruyter |
Total Pages | : 401 |
Release | : 2013-05-02 |
ISBN-10 | : 9783110319712 |
ISBN-13 | : 3110319713 |
Rating | : 4/5 (12 Downloads) |
Book excerpt: The idea that there is such a thing as a human right to health has become pervasive. It has not only been acknowledged by a variety of international law documents and thus entered the political realm but is also defended in academic circles. Yet, despite its prominence the human right to health remains something of a mystery - especially with respect to its philosophical underpinnings. Addressing this unfortunate and intellectually dangerous insufficiency, this book critically assesses the stipulation that health is a human right which - as international law holds - derives from the inherent dignity of the human person. Scrutinising the concepts underlying this stipulation (health, rights, dignity), it shall conclude that such right cannot be upheld from a philosophical perspective.