Two Concepts of Rights and the Right to Education

Most rights theories hold that the same act of a person or group cannot be driven by both a right and a duty. This book introduces the theory of initial rights and derived rights, demonstrating that an act is often the result of both. The key idea is that individuals and collectives have the right to fulfill their duty. However, general rights, those people are born with, do not originate from any duty, meaning their choices are not dictated by duties. As a result, access to education is a right, not a duty.

The theory of initial and derived rights can extend beyond education to explain broader social dynamics, such as the relationship between government and citizens. This book applies the theory to various contexts, including children’s education, civic and moral education, school– student relationships, and teacher– student interactions. It explores how absolute rights relate to general rights, how the right to education connects to the right to establish private schools, and how opportunities for choice are linked to rights. While this is an abstract theoretical study, it offers practical insights for schools and teachers.

The book will be of interest to researchers and students of rights theories and the philosophy of education, as well as educators.