NATURAL LAW AND INALIENABLE HUMAN RIGHTS by JACK FORBES

JACK FORBES

Author

NATURAL LAW AND INALIENABLE HUMAN RIGHTS

MAY A GOVERNMENT, OR EMPLOYER, CONSTRUCT A LEGALLY ENFORCEABLE RULE OR PRACTICE WHICH VIOLATES A PERSON'S NATURAL LAW RIGHTS OF PRIVACY AND LIBERTY? This book discusses the written and unwritten boundaries of governmental, and employer, powers. In America, we employ constitutional rights such as due process, the right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures, the right to be free of cruel and unusual punishment, the right of privacy and the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We also have statutory laws, rules and regulations which protect us in employment and housing, for example. Some legal boundaries, however, vary to an extent from culture to culture, nation to nation. Nevertheless, certain boundaries are universally considered to be absolute. What are the inalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness? What is the ultimate origin of such "natural law" for humans? Are legitimate boundaries of governmental (or employer) action definable in absolute terms, or is reference to historical events required in order to shape the concept of human rights? Are human rights the same as ethical duties to others? What role, if any, have world religions played in the origin and shaping of natural law? What use is there for natural law in the absence of an effective means of enforcement of the resulting human rights? Can nations legitimately subvert human rights under the auspices of national security interests, and if so, to what extent? How do American Courts deal with natural law? How are standards of human rights abuses evolving with current events? Answers to these important questions are the focus and subject matter of NATURAL LAW AND INALIENABLE HUMAN RIGHTS, and create A Pathway to Freedom and Liberty.

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Reviews

This updated third edition of Forbes’s exploration of the development, over history, of inalienable human rights and freedoms, offers an extensive examination of the written and unwritten rules, regulations, and ethics that shape modern society, governments, and corporations—and how, in Forbes’s words, individuals are “charged with a responsibility—indeed, a necessity … To secure liberty, freedom from oppression. To secure—human rights.” Forbes traces the evolution of these laws from ancient Mesopotamia, the writings of Plato and Aquinas, and the religious codifications of Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and beyond, building to the enshrinement of rights in the Constitution of the United States and, later, the United Nations Charter and international treaties. Forbes examines the notion of “us” versus “them” in early societies, illustrating how this dichotomy compelled humans to grapple with concepts of humanity versus inhumanity, right versus wrong, in encounters with competing interests and security.

Through these lenses, he considers contemporary controversies, too, like compulsory inoculations, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and whether a state court should have the power to kick a federal candidate off a state electoral ballot. Each chapter focuses on different periods in history and how perspectives on human rights and morality have evolved. Forbes poses critical questions about widely accepted maxims such as “All’s fair in war” and “The ends justify the means” and provocatively discusses the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, questioning whether the often unreliable results of such extreme measures are worth their deep and enduring societal costs.

Self-defense is another crucial topic, as Forbes considers court cases, Israel’s use of force against Hamas, and more, urging readers to consider the broader implications. Forbes’ exploratory research draws from a diverse array of sources, from ancient texts to TikToks, making the book both informative and engaging. His conclusions eschew easy left/right orthodoxies, offering deep insights into the evolution and application of human rights.

Takeaway: Urgent, updated examination of the roots and responsibilities of humanity’s natural rights.

Comparable Titles: Pierre Manent’s Natural Law and Human Rights, Michael Boylan’s Natural Human Rights.

Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: B+

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