Martha Fineman

Martha Fineman is a legal scholar who studies how society treats individuals, especially regarding their rights and vulnerabilities. She emphasizes that everyone has inherent weaknesses and dependencies, like illness or aging, and these realities should shape laws and social policies. Instead of assuming people start on equal footing, her work advocates for a flexible approach that recognizes human vulnerability, ensuring protection and support for all, especially those most at risk. Her ideas challenge traditional notions of individual independence, encouraging laws that provide care, security, and dignity throughout life's different stages.