Talk:Richard Oastler/Archive 1

Archive 1

Rights

A right is generally defined as a prerogative; the permission to perform an action, or to refrain from performing an action. This article clearly states that Richard Oastler fought for legislation which restricted the working hours of employees; that means he restricted their right to sell their labour to their employers, and the employers' right to pay for their labour. He thus can hardly be described as fighting 'for' labourers' rights; the article instead should read that Mr. Oastler fought 'against' the rights, of both workers and employers. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 92.26.160.220 (talk) 19:48, 21 October 2012 (UTC)

Please see the Wikipedia policy on original research. If you have a reliable source that supports your view then please provide it. Also, bear in mind that rights vary based on perspective - there is a right to be free to work and a right to be free of exploitation. Road Wizard (talk) 19:57, 21 October 2012 (UTC)

Different people do have different conceptions of rights, however, if men such as Thomas Jefferson, and men such as Richard Oastler are both described as defenders of rights, despite their being on opposite ends of the political spectrum, then the word 'right' ceases to have objective meaning; how can one write with objective truth when words become their own antonyms? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 92.26.160.220 (talk) 19:52, 22 October 2012 (UTC)

As discussed at Wikipedia's core policy on verifiability, "Even if you're sure something is true, it must be verifiable before you can add it. When reliable sources disagree, their conflict should be presented from a neutral point of view, giving each side its due weight." Wikipedia is based on verifiable fact rather than the more ephemeral "objective truth." If you can find a reliable source that says he was opposed to labourers' rights then we could add a note about it, so long as undue weight is not given to a fringe view point. Road Wizard (talk) 20:30, 22 October 2012 (UTC)

Children's rights

Doubtless he did advocate improved treatment of children but - leaving aside the question of whether intervening to improve someone's welfare is ipso facto giving them rights - the 1847 Factories Act changed the working hours for "women" and "young persons" (14 and upwards) the rules for "children" (9-13) remained as given in the 1833 Act Rjccumbria (talk) 16:16, 17 July 2014 (UTC)