The Compound Relational Structure of Moral Claim-Rights

Abstract

Abstract Moral claim-rights possess three important relational features: direction , standing , and status. I set out an analysis of the structure of moral claim-rights that accounts for these three features. The compound relational account I defend comprises two theses. The independence thesis denies any entailment between the first two features of claim-rights—direction and standing are two conceptually independent normative relations. The integration thesis asserts that moral claim-rights consist in the substantive justificatory union of these two relations. The third feature of claim-rights inheres in the nature of this union.