Final answer:
John Locke's philosophy suggests that man is born with natural rights in a state of nature, emphasizing freedom, equality, and the capacity for self-governance based on personal consent.
Step-by-step explanation:
Man’s original state, according to philosopher John Locke, was one of a “perfect state of nature” with intrinsic natural rights and freedoms. Locke believed that men are born inherently good and should be allowed to govern themselves by forming laws to shield them from the injustices potentially imposed by governments. His famous assertion that “no one can be put out of this estate, and subjected to the political power of another, without his own consent” underscores the fundamental right to personal liberty and self-determination.
This foundational concept of natural rights strongly influenced various democratic principles around the globe, emphasizing life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as cornerstones of an equitable society. Such beliefs are in contrast with the views of other philosophers like Hobbes, who saw man’s original state as “brutish” and necessitating strong governance to maintain social order.