Theodore Dalrymple's lecture on "human rights"
Theodore Dalrymple, on "The effect of the idea of 'human rights' on psychology, human nature and society." Lecture UAntwerpen, 22-feb-2018 Some notes: . Today's rights like "free speech" are tempered by 'bigger social pressure' and 'fear of giving offense'... and this is OK. The problem is that 'human rights' have become 'metaphysical claims'. . Best example of expression of human rights can be found in the American Declaration of Independence, in which author Thomas Jefferson talks about 'right to live, freedom and pursuit of happiness'. These 3 general "rights" are today being used as arguments pro or contra other "rights". E.g. abortion: -against, because 'right to live' is also meant for each fertilized ovum -in favour, because 'pursuit of happiness' implies 'avoidance of unhappiness'. But the idea "my body is my property" is not well thought