This book focuses on the theme of welfare rights. Two outstanding philosophers have developed a wonderful debate based on the concept of negative freedom: Sterba firmly believes that freedom and equality are compatible, and negative freedom can not only derive negative welfare rights (the poor take necessities of life from the rich), but should also be extended to positive welfare rights that transcend time and space limitations (distant nations and future generations); Narveson believes that freedom and equality are incompatible, because enforceable welfare rights cannot be justified from the premise of respecting negative freedom (human independence).
本书聚焦在福利权这个主题，两位杰出的哲学家从消极自由概念出发展开了精彩的辩论：斯特巴坚信自由与平等相兼容，消极自由不仅能推导出消极福利权(穷人从富人那里拿走生活必需品)，而且应拓展至超越时空限制的积极福利权(遥远民族与后代)；纳维森则认为自由与平等不兼容，因为不能从尊重消极自由的前提(人的独立性)来证成具有可强制执行性的福利权。
本书聚焦在福利权这个主题，两位杰出的哲学家从消极自由概念出发展开了精彩的辩论：斯特巴坚信自由与平等相兼容，消极自由不仅能推导出消极福利权(穷人从富人那里拿走生活必需品)，而且应拓展至超越时空限制的积极福利权(遥远民族与后代)；纳维森则认为自由与平等不兼容，因为不能从尊重消极自由的前提(人的独立性)来证成具有可强制执行性的福利权。
