Natural Quote by Jeremy Bentham
“Natural rights is simple nonsense: natural and imprescriptible rights, rhetorical nonsense—nonsense upon stilts.”
About This Quote
Source Book: An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation, 1789
Natural rights are a rhetorical construct without empirical basis, rendering them meaningless.
In simple terms: Natural rights lack substance.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions.
Themes
political theory
rights critique
legal philosophy
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
philosophical
legal
When to use this quote
- policy debate
- human rights law
- public discourse
Key Concepts
Utilitarianism
skepticism
Questions to Reflect On
- Do rights need grounding?
- How do societies enforce rights?
A Different Perspective
Rights concepts still shape law and morality.
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