Ethics 9 John Locke and Natural Rights

A discussion of John Locke Natural Rights and Capitalism

Category:

Education

Tags:

• John
• Locke
• state
• of
• nature
• ethics
• natural
• rights
• negative
• capitalsm

[ACompetitorsChalleng]

I believe Locke was echoed by Madison and Adams in the Constitution and even unto the Bill of Rights... good tie in with my HIST class :D

[wmiller24]

@ACompetitorsChalleng Yes, Locke's political theory was a fundamental ingredient in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

[kenp3L]

An important point, sir, one that I hope you will answer, is the following: Is Locke's idea of Natural Rights one which he believes thoughtful men can agree to based upon their collective common interests? Or is it that Locke posits that these rights have been given to Man by God, regardless of whether men recognize the wisdom of these rights?

[wmiller24]

The appropriate answer would be "both." Locke believed that we were granted certain natural rights by God, and he believed these rights could be ascertained through reason, which has been given to all people by God. However, he also notes that even people who are immoral (thieves and other villains) recognize the importance of contractual rights for themselves as a matter of convenience.

[wmiller24]

The importance, for Locke, in stressing that these natural rights are God-given is that, since they are God-given, they cannot be taken away by human governments. If our acknowledgement of natural rights is simply a matter of collective common interest, then, presumably, these rights could be voided if a majority of people felt that such a step would benefit the common interest. For Locke, if the government does not protect natural rights, the government can and should be replaced.

[wmiller24]

Locke does not attempt to justify unlimited acquisition. He believes that people through labor or craftsmanship mix their efforts with things or property and become owners of what they have created. But, he believes that the expansion of ownership should not continue when it deprives others of the right to property, life, or liberty. In Locke's view, the purpose of government is to secure our rights to life, liberty, and property, and to make sure these freedoms are not abridged.

[auxyray]

I thought they were called passive rights not negative rights. Both are correct?

[5959512]

balls and weiners everywhere

[Mike10four]

The foundation to: Locke, Hobbes and Jefferson’s work crystallizes when using science to prove our unalienable Rights are from the Laws of Nature. It becomes clear these Rights apply to all Life, from bacteria to humans, and Social systems, including Charles Darwin’s research; as in a Grand Unification principle for all Living-systems (see my channel video). The Laws of Nature trumps mortals in power; a new understanding of these Rights may help make this world a better place to live.

[kenp3L]

@wmiller24, Thank you for replying so promptly. Why do you think Locke and even many people go in for this "self-evident, natural rights by God" rhetoric? Do you think this is fulfills some psychological need to see our customs fixed to the universe? Do you believe his point of view is at all defensible?

[cris750]

The problem is not illegal immigrants per se but rather the drug gangs which use some illegal immigrants. This is the original reasoning for SB 1070. However, the law violates the natural rights of all immigrants(legal and illegal). The U.S. Constitution was written to defend the rights of U.S. citizens and all immigrants including illegal immigrants.I presented this evidence earlier. This topic concerning free market is more theoretical than the issue on immigrans. "unalienable rights".