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NATURAL RIGHTS Philosophy of John Locke (and Thomas Jefferson as expressed in the Declaration of Independence)
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The Big Question… Why do we need Government?
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State of Nature What would it be like to have no government? Consider the island…
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If there were no Government.. These are Rights people have by nature, they are God-given, not man-given Can you think of some specific right that might be considered “natural?” Everyone would have Rights Therefore, they cannot be taken away (unalienable)
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Locke identified the following “natural rights”: Life How do these relate to our discussion of rights in the Island scenario? How are these rights similar and/or different from those identified in the Declaration of Independence? Liberty Property
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These rights would be very insecure The strong would prey on the weak Greed Chaos The Jungle The weak might form gangs to prey on others
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The Social Contract People agree to form a government to protect their natural rights People agree to obey the laws passed under this agreement SO… Every LEGITIMATE form of Government is a type of SOCIAL CONTRACT. It exists by the will of the people.
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The Main Point Why do we need Government (according to Locke)? TO PROTECT NATURAL RIGHTS ! But, What if a government is not protecting rights, but taking them away?
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