Transcript NATURAL RIGHTS Philosophy of John Locke (and Thomas Jefferson as
NATURAL RIGHTS
Philosophy of John Locke (and Thomas Jefferson as expressed in the Declaration of Independence)
The Big Question…
Why do we need Government?
State of Nature
What would it be like to have no government?
Consider the island…
If there were no Government..
Everyone would have Rights These are Rights people have by nature, they are God-given, not man-given Therefore, they cannot be taken away (unalienable) Can you think of some specific right that might be considered “natural?”
Locke identified the following “natural rights”:
Life Liberty Property How do these relate to our discussion of rights in the Island scenario? How are these rights similar and/or different from those identified in the Declaration of Independence?
These rights would be very insecure
The strong would prey on the weak The weak might form gangs to prey on others Greed Chaos The Jungle
The Social Contract
SO… People agree to form a government
to protect their natural rights
People agree to obey the laws passed under this agreement Every LEGITIMATE form of Government is a type of SOCIAL CONTRACT. It exists by the will of the people.
The Main Point
Why do we need Government (according to Locke)?
TO PROTECT NATURAL RIGHTS !
But, What if a government is not protecting rights, but taking them away?