Final answer:
The English philosopher John Locke is known for promoting the belief in natural rights for all humans. He argued that these unalienable rights, such as life, liberty, and property, are innate and must be protected by governments. Locke's ideas were foundational in Enlightenment political philosophy and influenced modern democracies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The belief in natural rights for all humans is most notably promoted by the English philosopher John Locke. His contributions to the concept of natural rights, especially through his work Two Treatises of Government, underscore that these rights are innate and cannot be granted or taken away by governments. These unalienable rights, including the right to life, liberty, and property, were revolutionary during the Enlightenment era and formed the bedrock of many modern democracies.
Locke asserted that all individuals are born into a state of equality and freedom. By entering into a social contract, society agrees to form a government that exists to protect these rights, rather than bestow them. This was a fundamental shift from the prevailing notion of the divine right of kings or the established hierarchies endorsed by the church at the time. While these ideals of natural rights and equality were groundbreaking, Enlightenment thinkers—including Locke—continued to grapple with the paradox of their times, as many were complicit with or passive to colonialism and the slave trade, which blatantly violated these principles.
Nonetheless, Locke’s ideas have had a lasting impact on political theory and the development of constitutions around the world, influencing the likes of Thomas Jefferson and helping to lay the groundwork for the American Declaration of Independence and the broader movement toward recognizing universal human rights.