Review by Choice Review
A thought-provoking collection of essays about human rights issues and concerns by Steven Lukes, John Rawls, Catharine MacKinnon, Richard Rorty, Jean-Francois Lyotard, Agnes Heller, and Jon Elster. The subject matter ranges from gender issues (MacKinnon) with the events in the former Yugoslavia serving as a backdrop to a sort of linguistic approach (Lyotard) that focuses on the nature of human communication, especially the interlocutory nature of human speech. The Rawls's essay is the longest and those not familiar with his writing, especially the book Theory of Justice (1971), might find this essay somewhat difficult as it assumes a certain level of "Rawlsean" familiarity that might not be present for the casual reader. The same observation is probably true of the Richard Rorty essay, which seems to be drawn from his work Philosophy and the Mirror of Nature (CH, Jun'80). On the other hand, these essays might serve to pique one's curiousity in the more comprehensive work of Rawls and Rorty, in which case this volume will have served a useful purpose. An excellent introduction by Stephen Shute and Susan Hurley. There is an index, which is not often found in works of collected essays. For university libraries and the more sophisticated reader. A very worthwhile addition to anyone's library. E. W. Webking; University of Lethbridge
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Booklist Review
While neither of these demanding volumes is likely to establish new circulation records, each will fascinate and enlighten readers who are concerned about the issues it addresses.Allitt examines the role played by Catholic intellectuals in developing an articulate conservative political movement in the U.S. in the 1950s, and the consequences of the disruptions of the 1960s and 1970s on the Catholic "strand" within that movement. Voice-in-the-wilderness rhetoric came naturally to Catholic conservatives such as William Buckley, his brother-in-law Brent Bozell, and other writers associated with the National Review; with utter conviction, they applied the lessons of their faith to issues of foreign and domestic policy. But these conservative Catholic intellectuals gained national visibility at a time when events in both the church and society were fragmenting consensus among Catholics. Allitt lends texture to his narrative of intellectual trends within U.S. Catholicism with a thoughtful analysis of the work of four individuals: Hungarian emigres John Lukacs and Thomas Molnar, and native-born Catholic conservatives Garry Wills and Michael Novak.The Amnesty Lectures--like the more famous Amnesty rock tours--are designed to raise funds for Amnesty International and to educate people about human rights issues, but the lectures (unlike the musical caravans) are independent of the organization itself. In On Human Rights, European and American thinkers--Steven Lukes, John Rawls, Catharine MacKinnon, Richard Rorty, Jean Francois Lyotard, Agnes Heller, and Jon Elster--speak to central issues of human rights discourse; each lecture is a densely argued attempt to come to terms with what it means to be human and with the capacities and limitations of human reason and human empathy. The editors' helpful introduction establishes a context for each lecture within its author's previous work, and draws the hopeful conclusion that "the theory of human rights need not be trapped in the conflict between universal aspirations and skeptical or relativist doubts." ~--Mary Carroll
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Library Journal Review
In the second volume of this new series, essays by seven renowned political philosophers focus on the fundamental question of human rights. Four of the writers present their position, using a theoretical paradigm; the others posit an idea with historical and contemporary events such as Bosnia as backdrop. Using terms like utili taria , communitaria , proletaria , libera taria , and egalataria, Stephen Lukes challenges the reader to think of these philosophies in a societal context. John Rawls identifies liberal and hierarchical societies to test the efficacy of human rights. Catherine MacKinnon counters the universal premise that only men suffer human rights violations, pointing out that women continue to be exploited even in peacetime. Recommended for scholars, students, and all citizens.-- Kevin Whalen, Montville P.L., N.J. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Choice Review
Review by Booklist Review
Review by Library Journal Review
