Which are John Locke's natural rights?

Which are John Locke's natural rights?

• A. Life, Liberty, and Property.
• B. Death, Fear, and Poverty.
• C. Freedom of speech, religion, and assembly.
• D. Work, Wealth, Status.

Answer: (A)

Natural rights are the basic liberties people have simply by being human, which governments exist to protect. John Locke argued that among these rights are life, liberty, and property. He believed that in a state of nature people are equal and free, and they form governments to safeguard their lives, freedoms, and possessions. If a government fails to protect these rights or tries to take them away, people have the right to change or replace that government. That’s why the best answer lists Life, Liberty, and Property—the exact trio Locke identified as natural rights. The other options describe conditions or freedoms not grouped as Locke’s natural rights: death, fear, and poverty are states, not rights; freedoms like speech, religion, and assembly are important civil liberties, but Locke’s explicit natural-right package includes property as a fundamental right; and work, wealth, and status are social or economic outcomes, not inherent rights.

Natural rights are the basic liberties people have simply by being human, which governments exist to protect. John Locke argued that among these rights are life, liberty, and property. He believed that in a state of nature people are equal and free, and they form governments to safeguard their lives, freedoms, and possessions. If a government fails to protect these rights or tries to take them away, people have the right to change or replace that government.

That’s why the best answer lists Life, Liberty, and Property—the exact trio Locke identified as natural rights. The other options describe conditions or freedoms not grouped as Locke’s natural rights: death, fear, and poverty are states, not rights; freedoms like speech, religion, and assembly are important civil liberties, but Locke’s explicit natural-right package includes property as a fundamental right; and work, wealth, and status are social or economic outcomes, not inherent rights.