PHLA11H3 Lecture 16: PHLA11 – Lecture 16 – Global Poverty
Document Summary
Leave aside the question of whether the strong principle is true for now. Equality, in the sense of giving equal considerations to equally serious needs, is part of our moral code. (arthur, p. 848) But another aspect of our commonsense moral code: entitlements. Entitlements fall into two categories: rights and desert. Acc. to commonsense morality: you are not morally required to donate an eye or a kidney. Because you have a right to your own body. Negative rights: rights of noninterference, examples: right to life, property rights, freedom of belief, these are natural rights: we have them just in virtue of the kind of beings that we are. Positive rights: rights to receive certain things: Rights of a child to be fed, clothed and housed by parent or legal guardian. Aright to welfare assistance, medical care or education from the state. Aren"t natural rights: they arise because others have promised, agreed or contracted to give you something. (p. 849)
