Human Rights and Human Exceptionalism

Human rights are widely thought to be held by all and only human beings. This follows naturally from the orthodox characterization of human rights as the fundamental rights held by humans in virtue of being human. This view assumes either that there are morally relevant, rights-grounding features that are shared by all and only members of the human species, or that being a member of the human species is morally relevant in itself. Both of these assumptions have undergone extensive criticism in the literature on the moral and legal status of non-human animals, but relatively little attention has been paid to this literature in the growing body of philosophical work on human rights.

This workshop will bring together scholars in philosophy, law, and politics to discuss a number of questions concerning the human exceptionalism characteristic of human rights theory and practice.

Registration is required for this event and places are limited. There is no registration fee, but participants will have to fund their own travel and accommodation. Some meals will be provided. To register, email [email protected] by 31 March 2022.