Human Rights: Juridical and Philosophical Perspective 3700-MSNS-HR-EC

Human rights, as a philosophical doctrine born out of natural law, and as a political device, represent the basic of European culture and one among its most valuable historical peculiarities.
During the course we will examine the classical and contemporary concepts of natural law, with a particular emphasis on the issue of humanity as a point of reference or source of these rights. A philosophical-historical background of the concept of humanity will be provided by analyzing of the figure of the state of nature in the context of the new, mechanical, science of natural motion.
We will also focus on the political thought of the Enlightenment, examining its relevance for contemporary understanding of rights. The many meanings of human dignity will be explored, alongside a reflection on the deliberative character of these rights.
From the legal standpoint, the course distinguishes three generations of human rights. Particular attention will be devoted to the European System of Protection of Rights and Freedoms, as well as to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We will analyze proceedings before the European Court of Human Rights and the most notable judgments.
Finally, the course will put forward the argument that the protection of human rights is an essential component of a democratic state governed by the rule of law (liberal democracy).