Natural rights

Definition

Natural rights are fundamental human rights that are believed to be inherent and inalienable, existing independently of government or societal laws. These rights include life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and they serve as a philosophical foundation for individual freedom and justice. They were pivotal in shaping political thought, especially during periods of revolution and reform, emphasizing the belief that individuals possess rights that cannot be surrendered or taken away.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Natural rights are often associated with the Enlightenment thinkers who influenced revolutionary movements, especially in America and France.
2. In 'Common Sense', Thomas Paine argued that natural rights should not be violated by oppressive governments and called for independence based on these principles.
3. The Declaration of Independence is heavily influenced by the concept of natural rights, asserting that governments derive their power from the consent of the governed to protect these rights.
4. Natural rights theory laid the groundwork for modern human rights discussions, asserting that all individuals deserve certain freedoms simply by being human.
5. Paine's persuasive writing effectively popularized the idea of natural rights among colonists, encouraging them to question the legitimacy of British rule.

Review Questions

• How did the concept of natural rights influence the arguments made in Thomas Paine's 'Common Sense'?
  • In 'Common Sense', Thomas Paine used the concept of natural rights to argue against British monarchy and justify American independence. He emphasized that individuals possess inherent rights that governments must protect. Paine contended that the British government was infringing upon these natural rights, thus making it imperative for colonists to seek independence in order to secure their freedoms.
• Discuss how political pamphlets during this period utilized the idea of natural rights to persuade public opinion.
  • Political pamphlets during this time effectively used the idea of natural rights as a rhetorical tool to galvanize public support for revolutionary change. Writers emphasized that all individuals have unalienable rights which governments must respect. By framing issues like taxation and governance as violations of these fundamental rights, pamphleteers were able to stir discontent and mobilize resistance against British authority.
• Evaluate how the emphasis on natural rights shaped the philosophical foundations of modern democracy and human rights movements.
  • The emphasis on natural rights significantly shaped the philosophical foundations of modern democracy and human rights movements by establishing the idea that individuals inherently possess certain freedoms. This notion led to demands for government accountability and individual liberties, influencing constitutional frameworks worldwide. As societies adopted democratic principles, the recognition of natural rights became integral to discussions on equality, justice, and global human rights standards, paving the way for international declarations and treaties aimed at protecting these essential freedoms.

Related terms

John Locke:

A 17th-century English philosopher who argued that individuals have natural rights and that governments are created to protect those rights.

Social Contract: A theory that individuals consent, either explicitly or implicitly, to surrender some of their freedoms and submit to the authority of a government in exchange for protection of their remaining rights.

Enlightenment:

An intellectual movement in the 17th and 18th centuries that emphasized reason, individualism, and the importance of natural rights in governance.