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 rema...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Erk, Christian (auth)
Format: Electronic Book Chapter
Language:English
Published: Berlin/Boston De Gruyter 2010
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Online Access:OAPEN Library: download the publication
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Summary: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.
ISBN:oapen_626362
9783110319712
Access:Open Access