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Rights, Moral Values and Natural Facts: a reply to Mary Midgley on the problem of child-abuse.

Research output: Contribution to Journal/MagazineJournal articlepeer-review

Published
<mark>Journal publication date</mark>04/1992
<mark>Journal</mark>Journal of Applied Philosophy
Issue number1
Volume9
Number of pages6
Pages (from-to)99-104
Publication StatusPublished
<mark>Original language</mark>English

Abstract

Mary Midgley asserts that my argument concerning the problem of child-abuse was inappropriately framed in the language of rights, and neglected certain pertinent natural facts. I defend the view that the use of rights-talk was both apposite and did not misrepresent the moral problem in question. I assess the status and character of the natural facts Midgley adduces in criticism of my case, concluding that they do not obviously establish the conclusions she believes they do. Finally I briefly respond to the charge that my suggestions were illiberal.