Final answer:
Natural rights are considered unalienable and include Life, Liberty, and Property or Pursuit of Happiness. They are protected through a social contract.
Step-by-step explanation:
Natural rights are often considered unalienable, meaning that are not to be taken away or denied. English philosopher John Locke believed that "Life, Liberty, and Property" were the most important natural rights. In the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson defined natural rights as "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness." Both men believed that the purpose of government is to protect these rights through a social contract. The four characteristics that help define natural rights are as follows:
- Universality: These rights belong to all people, regardless of their nationality, race, gender, or other distinguishing factors.
- Inalienability: Natural rights cannot be taken away or given up as they are inherent to all human beings.
- Precedence: Natural rights are supreme and take precedence over societal or man-made laws.
- Independence: These rights exist independently of governmental laws, which means that they can't be created or withdrawn by the government.