Human Rights and their Limits

by Wiktor Osiatyński

Human Rights and Their Limits shows that the concept of human rights has developed in each call for rights served the purpose of social groups that tried to stop further proliferation of rights once their own goals were reached. While defending the universality of human rights as norms of behavior, Osiatyński admits that the philosophy on human rights does not need to be universal. Instead he suggests that the enjoyment of social rights should be contingent upon the recipient’s contribution to society. He calls for a “soft universalism” that will not impose rights on others but will share the experience of freedom and help the victims of violations. Although a state of unlimited democracy threatens rights, the excess of rights can limit resources indispensable for democracy. This book argues that although rights are a prerequisite of freedom, they should be balanced with other values that are indispensable for social harmony and personal happiness.

262 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Michal Ján Sallem]

Very comprehensive overview of the human rights issue from different angles. Despite the authors tendency to express his own opinions, the factual part of the book is very educative.