Natural Rights

Definition

Natural rights are fundamental human rights that are believed to be inherent and inalienable, meaning they cannot be taken away or surrendered. These rights, such as life, liberty, and property, serve as the foundation for individual freedom and justice. The concept of natural rights was pivotal in shaping philosophical ideas during times of religious revival and intellectual exploration, leading to significant political changes.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The idea of natural rights gained prominence during the Enlightenment, influencing thinkers like John Locke, who asserted that governments must protect these rights.
2. Natural rights were a driving force behind revolutionary movements as colonists sought to assert their freedoms against oppressive British rule.
3. The Great Awakening also contributed to the idea of natural rights by emphasizing individual conscience and personal freedom in spiritual matters.
4. The Declaration of Independence famously lists life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as core natural rights that the government must respect and protect.
5. Natural rights philosophy laid the groundwork for democratic ideals and human rights legislation that emerged in later centuries.

Review Questions

• How did the Enlightenment thinkers contribute to the development of the concept of natural rights?
  • Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke played a crucial role in articulating the concept of natural rights by arguing that all individuals are entitled to certain fundamental freedoms simply by being human. They emphasized that governments exist to protect these rights and that any infringement upon them is illegitimate. This philosophical groundwork challenged traditional authority and inspired revolutionary sentiments during periods of significant political upheaval.
• In what ways did the Great Awakening influence people's understanding of their natural rights?
  • The Great Awakening encouraged a sense of personal agency and individual conscience, allowing people to question established religious norms and authorities. This newfound emphasis on personal freedom and spiritual autonomy resonated with the broader concept of natural rights. As individuals began to assert their right to personal beliefs and experiences, it fostered a culture that valued liberty and individualism, aligning closely with Enlightenment ideals about natural rights.
• Evaluate how the principles of natural rights influenced key events leading up to the Revolutionary War and their reflection in foundational documents like the Declaration of Independence.
  • Natural rights played a central role in galvanizing colonial resistance against British rule prior to the Revolutionary War. The colonists believed that their basic rights to life, liberty, and property were being violated by oppressive laws and taxes imposed by Britain. This belief was vividly expressed in the Declaration of Independence, which outlined that legitimate government is based on protecting these natural rights. The emphasis on these principles helped unify colonists around a common cause and justified their pursuit of independence from tyranny.

Related terms

John Locke:

An influential Enlightenment philosopher who argued that individuals have natural rights and that the primary role of government is to protect these rights.

Social Contract: A theoretical agreement among individuals to form a society and government that protects their natural rights in exchange for some personal freedoms.

Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness:

A phrase from the Declaration of Independence that encapsulates the natural rights philosophy, specifically highlighting the rights all individuals should possess.