Description
Book SynopsisQuestioning some of the repetitive and narrow theoretical writings on rights, a group of leading intellectuals examine human rights from philosophical, theological, historical, literary and political perspectives.
Trade Review'It would be difficult to imagine a more qualified and diverse team of intelligent critics to assess the meaning of human rights in today's 'post-humanist' world. The result of their symposium, however, is a complete redistribution of the game, where the fact of right emerges impossible to discard, precisely because it has become intrinsically problematic.' Étienne Balibar, Emeritus Professor of Philosophy, University of Paris-Nanterre, and author of Equaliberty and Violence and Civility
'This splendid volume is a richly philosophical and relentlessly political intervention into contemporary debates about human rights. Each erudite essay illuminates or rethinks both terms constituting this essential if often misused modern instrument of justice and protection.' Wendy Brown, University of California, Berkeley
'In this wide-ranging, thoughtful collection, distinguished scholars across several disciplines shed new light on the familiar topic of human rights by exploring the ambiguities and tensions that structure their social meanings and political implications. The book makes a distinctive and valuable contribution to the field; it should be widely read.' Nicola Lacey, FBA, School Professor of Law, Gender and Social Policy, London School of Economics
Table of ContentsIntroduction Conor Gearty and Costas Douzinas; Part I. Finding Foundations: 1. On human rights: two simple remarks Jean-Luc Nancy (translated by Gilbert Leung); 2. Human rights: the necessary quest for foundations Conor Gearty; 3. Against human rights: liberty in the western tradition John Milbank; 4. Religious faith and human rights Rowan Williams; Part II. Law, Rights and Revolution: 5. Philosophy and the right to resistance Costas Douzinas; 6. On a radical politics for human rights Illan Rua Wall; 7. Fanon today Drucilla Cornell; 8. Race and the value of the human Paul Gilroy; Part III. Rights, Justice, Politics: 9. From 'human rights' to 'life rights' Walter D. Mignolo; 10. Democracy, human rights and cosmopolitanism: an agonistic approach Chantal Mouffe; 11. Plural cosmopolitanisms and the origins of human rights Samuel Moyn; Part IV. Rights and Power: 12. Second-generation rights as biopolitical rights Pheng Cheah; 13. History, normativity, and rights Paul Patton; 14. 'All of us without exception': Sartre, Rancière, and the cause of the Other Bruce Robbins; 15. However incompletely, human Joseph R. Slaughter; 16. Welcome to the 'spiritual kingdom of animals' Slavoj Žižek.
