What concept refers to the idea that individuals are born with the right to life, liberty, and property?

The concept that individuals are born with the right to life, liberty, and property is known as natural rights. This philosophical idea, primarily associated with Enlightenment thinkers such as John Locke, asserts that these rights are inherent and cannot be taken away or given up. Natural rights are fundamental to the understanding of individual freedoms and have significantly influenced modern democratic principles, particularly in the development of law and government.

In contrast, the social contract refers to an agreement among individuals to form a society, outlining the rights and responsibilities of both the governed and the government. Tabula rasa, or the idea of the mind as a blank slate, pertains to human development and learning, emphasizing that individuals are shaped by their experiences rather than by innate qualities. The divine right of kings is a political doctrine that asserts a monarch's right to govern comes directly from God, which stands in opposition to the notion of individual rights as developed in the natural rights theory. Understanding natural rights is essential for grasping the foundations of democratic governance and individual liberties in modern societies.