Which of the following best describes natural rights as a foundational idea in political philosophy?

• A. Rights granted by government
• B. Rights that vary by culture
• C. Life, liberty, and property inherent to all humans
• D. Rights derived from the social contract

Answer: (C)

Natural rights are basic claims every person has simply by being human, not something a government grants or can take away. They exist prior to any political arrangement and are universal enough to apply to all people. The idea centers on life, liberty, and the means to pursue one’s own ends, including property, as inherent to human autonomy and flourishing. This view is associated with thinkers like John Locke, who argued that governments exist mainly to protect these pre-existing rights, and their legitimate authority depends on doing so. If a government violates these rights, its authority is undermined, and people may resist or replace it.

That’s why the option describing life, liberty, and property as inherent to all humans best captures natural rights. Rights granted by government reflect a different, later notion of rights created by rulers or laws; rights that vary by culture run counter to the universal aspect of natural rights; and rights derived from the social contract can describe how government is formed to protect rights, not the source of the rights themselves.