Natural Rights

Definition

Natural rights are the fundamental human rights that every individual is entitled to simply by being human. These rights, such as life, liberty, and property, are seen as inherent and not granted by any government or authority. The concept emphasizes that these rights are universal and should be respected and protected by societies and governments.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Natural rights were heavily influenced by Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke, who argued that these rights are essential for personal freedom and societal stability.
2. In the context of revolutionary documents, natural rights served as a foundation for justifying the rebellion against oppressive governments, claiming that such governments failed to protect these rights.
3. The Declaration of Independence explicitly references life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as inalienable rights, emphasizing their importance in American revolutionary thought.
4. Natural rights theory played a crucial role in shaping political philosophies during the independence era, influencing both revolutionary leaders and the formation of new governments.
5. Debates surrounding natural rights often focused on their implications for issues like slavery and women's rights, highlighting how interpretations of these rights evolved over time.

Review Questions

• How did the concept of natural rights shape revolutionary movements in America?
  • Natural rights significantly influenced revolutionary movements in America by providing a moral framework for justifying rebellion against British rule. Leaders argued that the British government violated the colonists' natural rights, such as life and liberty. This idea was pivotal in rallying support for independence, as it framed the struggle not just as a political conflict but as a fight for fundamental human dignity and freedom.
• Discuss the role of Enlightenment thinkers in the development of natural rights philosophy.
  • Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke were instrumental in developing natural rights philosophy by promoting the idea that certain rights are inherent to all individuals. Locke's writings emphasized that individuals possess natural rights to life, liberty, and property which governments are created to protect. This philosophy laid the groundwork for modern democratic principles and inspired revolutionary leaders to advocate for these rights in their quest for independence.
• Evaluate how natural rights influenced both the Declaration of Independence and subsequent political discourse during the independence era.
  • Natural rights had a profound impact on the Declaration of Independence, where Thomas Jefferson articulated that individuals have inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This language not only justified American independence but also set a standard for future political discourse. The idea of natural rights continued to evolve as debates about who qualifies for these rights emerged, influencing discussions on slavery, women's suffrage, and civil liberties in later years.

Related terms

Social Contract: A theory that individuals consent, either explicitly or implicitly, to form a society and accept certain obligations in exchange for protection of their natural rights.

Enlightenment:

An intellectual movement in the 17th and 18th centuries that emphasized reason, individualism, and skepticism of traditional authority, heavily influencing ideas about natural rights.

Consent of the Governed: The idea that a government's legitimacy and moral right to use state power is justified and lawful only when derived from the consent of the people it governs.