Question

Which statement from the Declaration of Independence1 best reflects the Enlightenment idea of natural rights?

A. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.
B. That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government.
C. We, therefore . . . solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States.
D. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

Answer 1

D. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

Step-by-step explanation:

Enlightenment was a philosophical movement that emerged in Europe around the 18th century and it is frequently linked to the French Revolution. During that period, absolutism had stripped people out of their basic rights and this is when this concept came to light.

Many philosophers of the Enlightenment period have their say on natural rights, many of them say that natural rights are rights that are not dependent on laws, customs or beliefs or culture or government.

The American Revolution and the Declaration of Independence were very much influenced by the philosopher John Locke, he argued that natural rights include equality, freedom, the right to preserve right and property.

Answer 2

D. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

Step-by-step explanation:

The natural right is an ethical and legal doctrine that postulates the existence of human rights founded or determined in human nature. It advocates the existence of a set of universal rights, prior, superior and independent of written law, positive law and customary law.

Natural law is also called one of the sources of law or justice together with custom and positive or written law. It should not be confused with the natural law, a set of thinkers or schools of thought that are inspired by natural law; natural right refers to a set of rules or precepts that are born of the same nature or human consciousness.