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‘RIGHTS’ & RIGHTS-BASED MORAL THEORIES
So far we have been discussing “right” in adjectival sense—as in right (or wrong) action.
But we haven’t said anything about rights as noun—that is, as a kind of thing that certain
individuals can have: like, for instance, a right to life.
But talk of “rights” is ubiquitous in moral discourse. How to characterize rights is very
controversial, but Timmons gives a basic rundown of what rights are often thought to be.
Basic Definition:
A right is a kind of claim or an entitlement to be free to engage in some activity,
exercise a certain power, or to be provided with some benefit.
4 BASIC ELEMENTS
Rights Holders: party who has or “holds” the right.
