Morality and the Language of Rights

Pierre Manent once observed that “the notion of human rights is today the common political and moral reference point in the west.” At first, this might seem curious since there is little agreement about moral and political principles in our times. Yet that there are rights, and that they are the foundation of moral and political thinking seems to be an unquestioned axiom. Another curious point is that the language of rights is a relatively new addition to the discussion of morality. In fact, the ancients never even spoke about rights, although they wrote extensively about ethics and politics.

This series of seminars will address the issue about what the language of rights means. Are there such things as rights? If so, what are they precisely? What are the bases of rights? Are there natural rights, or are all rights conventional? What are the consequences of thinking about politics and morality in terms of rights?

A good beginning to this subject requires an investigation into some of the great ancient positions on moral obligation and justice. Plato, Aristotle, and Cicero, in particular, stand out as extremely influential thinkers who treated these matters. Thomas Aquinas has a treatment of “jus”, which is often translated as “right”, and so he is apparently one of the earliest to adopt the language of rights. This language becomes prevalent largely because of Spinoza, Hobbes, Locke, and Hume. These thinkers are among the most prominent modern authors who have treated extensively of rights. And, as the U.N. declaration on human rights makes clear, the language of rights has become the universal way of speaking about our obligations.

Morality and the Language of Rights

1.
Plato, Protagoras
Plato, Gorgias (447-481b)
Plato, Gorgias (481c-527e)

2.
Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, Bk. V, chapters 1-4
Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, Bk. V, chapters 5-8
Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, Bk. V, chapters 9-11

3.
Cicero, De Officiis, (On Duties) Bk. I
Cicero, De Officiis, Bk. II
Cicero, De Officiis, Bk. III

4.
Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae, II-II, Q.57 (On the “Just” or “Right”)
Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae, II-II, Q. 58 (On Justice)
Lecture: “The Ancient Conception of Obligation.”

5.
Spinoza, A Theologico-Political Treatise, Preface, chapters XVI-XX
Spinoza, A Political Treatise, chapters I-II
Spinoza, A Political Treatise, chapters III-V

6.
Hobbes, Leviathan, Part I, Introduction, chapters 1-13
Hobbes, Leviathan, Part I, chapters 14-16
Hobbes, Leviathan, Part II, chapters 17-21

7.
Locke, Second Treatise on Government, chapters I-V
Locke, Second Treatise on Government, chapters VI-IX
Locke, Second Treatise on Government, chapters X-XIX

8.
Hume, An Inquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals, sections I-III
Hume, An Inquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals, sections IV-IX
Hume, An Inquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals, appendices 1-4

9.
United Nations: “Universal Declaration of Human Rights.”
Leo Strauss, Natural Right and History, Introduction, I-IV
Leo Strauss, Natural Right and History, V-VI

Formerly The Great Books Seminars in Ojai.
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