Natural Rights
Definition
Natural Rights are basic rights that every individual is born with and cannot be taken away. These include life, liberty, and property, as proposed by philosopher John Locke.
Analogy
Natural Rights are like the default settings on a new phone. They come with the device (or in this case, being human) and aren't supposed to be changed or removed.
Related terms
John Locke: An influential Enlightenment thinker often known as the "Father of Liberalism"; he proposed the concept of natural rights.
Social Contract: A theory that individuals have consented either explicitly or tacitly to surrender some of their freedoms in exchange for protection of their remaining rights.
Bill of Rights: The first ten amendments to the United States Constitution; they guarantee certain freedoms and rights, embodying the concept of natural rights.
"Natural Rights" appears in:
Practice Questions (1)
- What philosophical work significantly influenced the American Revolution by promoting the idea of natural rights?
Resources
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