Douglas B. Rasmussen and Douglas J. Den Uyl maintain that a realist turn-namely, one in which the natural order is the basis for individual rights-is needed to bring about a proper understanding and defense of liberty. They argue that the critical character of individual rights results from their being tethered to metaphysical realism. After reprising their explanation and defense of natural rights, Rasmussen and Den Uyl explain metaphysical realism and defend it against neo-pragmatist objections. They show it to be a formidable and preferable alternative to epistemic constructivism and crucial for a suitable understanding of ideal theory.

Autorentext

Douglas B. Rasmussen is Professor of Philosophy at St. John's University, NYC, USA.

Douglas J. Den Uyl is Vice-President of Educational Programs at Liberty Fund, Indianapolis, USA.

Klappentext

Douglas B. Rasmussen and Douglas J. Den Uyl maintain that a realist turnnamely, one in which the natural order is the basis for individual rightsis needed to bring about a proper understanding and defense of liberty. They argue that the critical character of individual rights results from their being tethered to metaphysical realism. After reprising their explanation and defense of natural rights, Rasmussen and Den Uyl explain metaphysical realism and defend it against neo-pragmatist objections. They show it to be a formidable and preferable alternative to epistemic constructivism and crucial for a suitable understanding of ideal theory.

Inhalt

Chapter One

Whence Natural Rights?

1. What's Wrong with Natural Rights? 2. Problems with the Non-Aggression Principle?

3. Why the Reluctance to Appeal to Natural Rights?

Chapter Two

How to Understand and Justify Individual Rights: A Synopsis 1. Rights as a Moral Concept

Liberty as a Moral Notion

Understanding the Role of Rights

Individualistic Perfectionism

Why We Have Rights A Realist Basis for Rejection of Equinormativity

2. The Primacy of Rights in Political Philosophy

The Virtue of Justice and Metanorms

Three Senses of Justice

Social Justice and Natural Endowments &amp...