Abstract

This contribution offers an introduction into the language of rights and the role rights play in ethics and law; with special reference to the rights of children. It emerges that there are a number of very different functions characteristic of 'rights talk'; both in ethics and law; and that many of them offer opportunities for strengthening appeals to moral and legal principles while others involve pitfalls that should be avoided. In conclusion; two of the theoretical questions raised by rights are addressed: whether the concept of rights can be replaced without loss by the concept of obligation; and whether rights should be seen as social constructs derived from obligations; or whether it is more plausible to reverse the order of priority.