Is Dignity the Foundation of Human Rights?

Waldron, Jeremy

doi:10.2139/ssrn.2196074

Abstract

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Is Dignity the Foundation of Human Rights?

Jeremy Waldron

New York University School of Law

January 3, 2013

NYU School of Law, Public Law Research Paper No. 12-73

Abstract:
The paper will consider the common claim that human rights are based on human dignity as a foundational value. I will make some criticisms of that idea, arguing instead that dignity is a status that comprises fundamental human rights rather than being a value that functions as a major premise of rights claims.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 30

Keywords: dignity, foundationalism, human rights, rights, status, UDHR

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Date posted: January 4, 2013 ; Last revised: January 28, 2013

Suggested Citation

Waldron, Jeremy, Is Dignity the Foundation of Human Rights? (January 3, 2013). NYU School of Law, Public Law Research Paper No. 12-73. Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=2196074 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2196074

Contact Information

Jeremy Waldron (Contact Author)

New York University School of Law ( email )

40 Washington Square South
New York, NY 10012-1099
United States