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How did Burke and Bentham each disagree with Locke and other philosophers about the concept of natural rights?

(a) Burke argued that natural rights were not universal and that they varied from society to society.
(b) Bentham argued that natural rights were not absolute and that they could be limited by the government for the sake of the common good.
(c) Both Burke and Bentham believed that natural rights were not as important as the need for order and stability in society.
(d) All of the above

1 Answer

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Final answer:

Both Edmund Burke and Jeremy Bentham disagreed with John Locke on natural rights, with Burke viewing them as non-universal and subjected to societal changes, while Bentham saw them as State-constructed and limitable for the common good, supporting the answer choice (d) All of the above.

Step-by-step explanation:

Edmund Burke and Jeremy Bentham both disagreed with John Locke and other Enlightenment philosophers on the concept of natural rights. Burke argued that natural rights were not universal and shifted according to society. He believed that with the formation of civil society, natural rights become less relevant, as virtuous people should lead, guiding the rest who in turn surrender their individual will for the state's interest. On the other hand, Bentham, a proponent of utilitarianism, contended that rights are State creations, and without the government, there could be chaos. They both emphasized the importance of social order, but Bentham was also concerned with achieving the greatest good for the greatest number and that the government could limit natural rights for the common good.

Given these positions, the correct answer would be that Burke argued that natural rights were not universal and varied from society to society, Bentham argued that they were not absolute and could be limited by the government, and both believed that the need for order and stability was paramount. Therefore, the correct answer is (d) All of the above

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