Health, Rights and Dignity - Philosophical Reflections on an Alleged Human Right

The idea that there is such a thing as a human right to health has become pervasive. It has not only been acknowledged by a variety of international law documents and thus entered the political realm but is also defended in academic circles. Yet, despite its prominence the human right to health remains something of a mystery - especially with respect to its philosophical underpinnings. Addressing this unfortunate and intellectually dangerous insufficiency, this book critically assesses the stipulation that health is a human right which - as international law holds - derives from the inherent dignity of the human person. Scrutinising the concepts underlying this stipulation (health, rights, dignity), it shall conclude that such right cannot be upheld from a philosophical perspective.

About the author

Christian Erk studied political theory (MSc) at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) (United Kingdom) as well as management, economics and international relations (BA) at the University of St. Gallen (Switzerland) and the Copenhagen Business School (Denmark). He has furthermore received the degree of a Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science from the University of Zurich (Switzerland). His research interests include health, justice, rights/duties, public health ethics/bioethics, health policy as well as determinants of health.

Product details

• Authors: Christian Erk
• Publisher: De Gruyter
• Languages: English, German
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 16.12.2010
• EAN: 9783110319262
• ISBN: 978-3-11-031926-2
• No. of pages: 385
• Dimensions: 154 mm x 32 mm x 216 mm
• Weight: 630 g
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Philosophy > 20th and 21st centuries; Non-fiction book > Philosophy, religion > Philosophy: antiquity to present day; Internationales Recht, Aufklärung (Epoche), 1500 bis heute, Menschenrechte, Bürgerrechte, Ethik und Moralphilosophie, Moralphilosophie, Abendländische Philosophie: Aufklärung, International (Recht), Philosophie / Philosophiegeschichte, Philosophie / Moralphilosophie, Philosophie / 17.-18. Jahrhundert, Internationales Öffentliches Recht: Gesundheit, Gesundheit (allgemein), Ethik; Moralphilosophie; Philosophie; Rechtsphilosophie, PHILOSOPHY / Movements / Utilitarianism