Abstract
Abstract Whether a right is natural or legal, it is a kind of property. This chapter examines the thought of five contemporary Christian thinkers, who hold that the modern concept of a right is tied—certainly historically but perhaps also logically—to Hobbesian social contract theory or Ockhamist nominalism, and therefore to radical individualism and moral subjectivism: Alasdair MacIntyre, Joan Lockwood O’Donovan, Oliver O’Donovan, John Milbank, and Ernest Fortin. It concludes that these critics variously misinterpret Ockham and overestimate the influence of Hobbes. Nevertheless, they are correct to discern that modern rights-talk does tend to shut out other kinds of moral discourse—that ‘rights’ do tend to displace ‘right’. As a consequence, it obscures the contingency of rights upon other moral considerations and so upon justice, all things considered in the circumstances.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
