Natural Rights

Definition

Natural rights are the fundamental human rights that every individual is entitled to simply by being human, often seen as inherent and universal. They form the basis for moral and legal standards, influencing ideas about justice, governance, and individual liberty, especially in relation to social contracts and political philosophy.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Natural rights are typically categorized as life, liberty, and property, which were most famously articulated by John Locke.
2. Locke argued that the protection of natural rights was the primary purpose of government, meaning that if a government fails to protect these rights, citizens have the right to revolt.
3. Natural rights are seen as universal and inalienable; they cannot be surrendered or transferred, regardless of laws or government decrees.
4. The concept of natural rights significantly influenced revolutionary movements, including the American Revolution and the drafting of foundational documents like the Declaration of Independence.
5. Rousseau's idea of the general will expands on natural rights by suggesting that true freedom is achieved through collective decision-making that respects individual liberties.

Review Questions

• How do natural rights relate to the justification of government authority?
  • Natural rights provide a moral foundation for the legitimacy of government authority. According to theorists like Locke, governments are formed to protect these inherent rights—life, liberty, and property. When a government fails to safeguard these rights or becomes tyrannical, it loses its legitimacy, justifying citizens' right to revolt against it. Thus, natural rights serve both as a rationale for creating governments and as a measure against which their actions can be judged.
• Discuss how the concept of natural rights influenced revolutionary thought in the 18th century.
  • Natural rights played a pivotal role in shaping revolutionary thought during the 18th century by challenging existing power structures and advocating for individual freedoms. Enlightenment thinkers like Locke argued that all people possess certain inalienable rights. This idea fueled movements such as the American Revolution, where colonists sought independence from British rule by asserting their natural rights. The Declaration of Independence famously echoes these principles by stating that individuals have unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
• Evaluate how modern interpretations of human rights are rooted in the philosophy of natural rights.
  • Modern interpretations of human rights are deeply rooted in the philosophy of natural rights by asserting that every individual possesses basic freedoms simply by being human. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights reflects this connection by codifying many principles associated with natural rights, such as freedom of speech, equality before the law, and protection against discrimination. As societies continue to evolve, these interpretations serve not only as legal benchmarks but also as moral imperatives for governments worldwide to uphold and protect individual dignity and autonomy.

Related terms

Social Contract: A theoretical framework that describes the voluntary agreement among individuals to form a society and establish government, where they collectively agree to follow certain rules in exchange for protection of their natural rights.

Liberty: The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one's way of life, behavior, or political views, closely tied to the concept of natural rights.

Civil Rights: The rights of citizens to political and social freedom and equality, often established and protected by law, which build upon the foundation of natural rights.