Natural rights are a philosophical concept that asserts certain fundamental rights are inherent to all human beings, regardless of culture, nationality, or government. These rights are considered universal and inalienable, meaning they cannot be taken away or surrendered. The idea of natural rights emerged from the works of philosophers such as [[John Locke]], Thomas Hobbes, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau during [[The Enlightenment]] era, which greatly influenced the development of modern political thought and democratic principles. ## Key aspects of natural rights 1. **Life**: The right to life is the most fundamental natural right. It asserts that every individual has an inherent right to live and not be deprived of their life by others or the state. This right is often cited as the basis for opposing practices such as capital punishment, euthanasia, and [[genocide]]. 2. **Liberty**: The right to liberty is the [[freedom]] to make choices about one's own life, beliefs, and actions without interference from others or the state, as long as those choices do not infringe on the rights of others. This includes freedom of thought, speech, religion, and association, as well as the right to personal autonomy and self-determination. 3. **Property**: The right to property is the ability to own, use, and dispose of material possessions and intellectual creations. John Locke, in particular, emphasized the importance of property rights, arguing that individuals have a natural right to the fruits of their labor and that the purpose of government is to protect these rights. 4. **Equality**: The right to equality asserts that all individuals are equal under the law and should be treated fairly and impartially, regardless of their social status, race, gender, or other factors. This principle is the foundation of modern concepts of [[human rights]] and [[social justice]]. 5. **Pursuit of happiness**: Although not explicitly labeled as a natural right in early philosophical works, the idea that individuals have a right to pursue their own happiness and well-being, as long as it does not infringe on the rights of others, is closely related to the concept of natural rights. Natural rights have been influential in shaping the development of democratic governments, legal systems, and human rights frameworks around the world. For example, the United States [Declaration of Independence](https://doctorparadox.net/save-democracy/declaration-of-independence/), drafted by [[Thomas Jefferson]], famously proclaims that all individuals are "endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." This idea continues to be a central tenet of modern political thought and the foundation of many contemporary debates about the role of government and the protection of individual rights. See also: [[human rights]], [[civil rights]], [[Civil Rights Act]], [[free speech (1A)]]