Another useful distinction is that of positive and negative rights. A positive right is "a right to receive a particular good or service from others" (Beauchamp & Childress, 2001). Therefore, a positive right assumes that someone (individual or agency) is obligated to do something for you. A negative right is "a right to be free from some action by others", so a negative right obligates others to refrain from action. An important implication here is that a right places an obligation on another individual or social entity, as well as consideration of whether the associated duties are then interpreted to be absolute.

While the concept of rights is appealing as a basis for moral argument and justification in modern democratic societies, it is also open to a number of concerns (Almond, 1993). First, there is no general agreement on what or who can be the subject of a right. A similar lack of agreement exists on what kinds of things there can be a right to. Finally there are questions about whether rights can ever be inalienable or absolute.

For more on rights and rights-based ethics see:

• Catholic Encyclopedia - Right.
• Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy - Human Rights.
• Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy - Human Rights.