The
human rights-duties equation: an enquiry into the conservation of morality and
social action.
By Jack
Parsons
(1986/2002)
11pp.
£2.50
A reprint of an article by Jack Parsons, originally published in New
Humanist in 1986. This is an attempt – from a combined
ethical/philosophical, and ethological perspective – to restore some sort of
balance between the avalanche of literature and public demand for ever-more
human rights, coupled with virtually zero acknowledgement of the obvious fact
that no right can be actually enjoyed unless someone, somewhere, is discharging
the duties necessary to make that right a reality.
Particular emphasis is placed on the need to counterbalance the ‘right to
reproduce’ with the duty not to reproduce irresponsibly.