“Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world; Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind …” So starts the preamble to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a Charter that defines membership in the powerful multi-national organization called the United Nations. The question remains, do its claims hold up to philosophical scrutiny?