Final answer:
Jefferson's phrase "all men are created equal" conveys the Enlightenment idea of inherent natural rights to Life, Liberty, and happiness, regarded as self-evident, but it contained contradictions regarding slavery and the exclusion of women and indigenous peoples.
Step-by-step explanation:
When Thomas Jefferson noted "all men are created equal," he was expressing an idea that was understood to be "self-evident," meaning it was an apparent truth that required no proof. The idea originates from the Enlightenment philosophy of natural rights, notably espoused by John Locke, which posits that everyone is born with certain inherent rights. Jefferson was articulating the concept that every man has the same inherent value and is entitled to the same rights to Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness without the need of justification or explanation. However, the historical context of this statement reveals complexities and contradictions, particularly concerning the issues of slavery and the exclusion of women and indigenous peoples from this principle at the time.