Life: The Most Basic Right

摘要

Not all rights have been created equal. This essay contends that the right to life—broadly understood as a right to be free from deadly violence, maiming, torture, and starvation—is paramount and argues that the unique standing of the right to life has significant implications for public policy in general, and for foreign policy in particular. The right to life is much more narrowly crafted than the right to many entitlements that improve life (e.g., health, housing, and education) but are not required for us to remain alive. 1 1. One may say that I am referring to a right to security; however, such wording removes the normative criteria that justify the right. We are entitled to security because we have a right to life. View all notes