PHIL 282.001 – Human Rights: Philosophical Interrogations

Instructor: Joseph Ross. This course meets MWF 1:25 – 2:15 p.m. in AR 218.

What are human rights? Where do they come from? Who possesses them? How are they universal? When can they be legally justified? This course critically examines the idea of human rights. We will focus on their historical origins, their uses (and abuses) over time, and if they have practical application today. We will address questions about the existence, content, nature, universality, justification, and legal status of human rights. The strong claims made on behalf of human rights frequently provoke skeptical doubts and countering philosophical defenses. These will be addressed through classical and contemporary history of philosophy.