A Philosophical Introduction to Human Rights

‘Thomas Mertens' new book on human rights is a highly perceptive and comprehensive examination of the key questions that are raised by the topic. Mertens sets human rights in the context of legal philosophy and analyses in a systematic way the relationship between morality and law; natural law and positive law; international law and national law. A legal Kant scholar of renown, Mertens turns his attention with good effect to the legal and philosophical study of human rights. Written with freshness and clarity, the book will be accessible to all students of law, politics and philosophy, and members of the public with an interest in the topic. The book is vital reading for the twenty-first century. It demonstrates how we owe a good deal to the war-torn, but ultimately progressive, twentieth century. There are countless interesting examples that are drawn from that turbulent century which enliven the discussion.’ Howard Williams, Honorary Distinguished Professor, Cardiff University

‘Thomas Mertens’ book is much more than a handbook on human rights: it uses this topic as a starting point for introducing the readers to philosophy of law and its many questions. Given the centrality of human rights in our societies, this is a justified, clever move. While analysing some major rights as they are stated by the UDHR, Mertens discusses a wide range of arguments for and against their universal or absolute character. In doing so, he invites us to an intellectual tour de force in which history of philosophy and theoretical argumentation are ingeniously intertwined. This ambitious endeavour goes together with philosophical honesty and restraint: the author never forces his position on the readers; he just presents them with the philosophical tools to form their opinion. Also for this reason, this compelling introduction to philosophy of law is highly enjoyable and instructive.’ Alessandro Pinzani, Professor of Political Philosophy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Brazil