TY - JOUR

T1 - Rights, Moral Values and Natural Facts: a reply to Mary Midgley on the problem of child-abuse.

AU - Archard, David

PY - 1992/4

Y1 - 1992/4

N2 - 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.

AB - 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.

U2 - 10.1111/j.1468-5930.1992.tb00300.x

DO - 10.1111/j.1468-5930.1992.tb00300.x

M3 - Journal article

VL - 9

SP - 99

EP - 104

JO - Journal of Applied Philosophy

JF - Journal of Applied Philosophy

SN - 1468-5930

IS - 1

ER -