Final answer:
Thomas Jefferson saw ideas as non-exclusive property that should be freely shared amongst the public, diverging from Locke's natural rights theory by substituting 'property' with 'the pursuit of happiness'.
Step-by-step explanation:
Thomas Jefferson understood the principle of an "idea" as a non-exclusive property in the sense that ideas were meant to be freely shared among the public. He believed in John Locke's natural rights theory, which includes the entitlement to life, liberty, and property. However, Jefferson substituted 'property' with 'the pursuit of happiness' in the Declaration of Independence, underscoring a commitment to the non-exclusive, accessible nature of ideas. In this way, Jefferson asserts that ideas should not be confined to any single creator or social class, but instead benefit society as a whole.