The Declaration Of Independence: Links To An External Site

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The Declaration of Independence (Links to an external site.) . Please read the Declaration of Independence. After careful reflection, please answer the following questions: In the Declaration of Independence, what do you think is meant by ‘unalienable’ rights? Where do they come from? How are they justified? Please make sure to be specific and carefully explain your reasoning. Now consider moral decision-making. How exactly does the framework of ‘unalienable’ rights (natural rights) establish morality? What would be an example of a behavior that these rights would establish as morally wrong? Please make sure to be specific and carefully explain your reasoning. Your response to each question should be about words in length, but please feel free to be as detailed as you wish.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The Declaration of Independence, authored primarily by Thomas Jefferson in 1776, articulates foundational principles that underpin the concept of individual rights and the moral justification for political independence. Central to this document is the idea of 'unalienable' rights—rights that are inherent and cannot be legitimately taken away or surrendered. This essay explores the meaning of these rights, their origins and justification, and examines how the framework of natural rights informs moral decision-making, including an example of a behavior deemed morally wrong within this framework.

Understanding 'Unalienable' Rights

The term 'unalienable' rights in the Declaration refers to rights that are intrinsic to every human being by virtue of their humanity. Jefferson and the framers of the Declaration articulate these rights as self-evident, emphasizing their inherent nature. According to Jefferson, these rights include "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness," which are not granted by governments or external authorities but are natural rights that individuals possess simply by being human. Jefferson writes, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights." This indicates that these rights come from a divine or natural source, not from governments or societies.

The justification for these rights stems from the Enlightenment philosophy, particularly the ideas of thinkers like John Locke, who argued that individuals have natural rights derived from natural law. Locke posited that humans possess rights to life, liberty, and property because such rights are essential to human nature and rationality. Jefferson's invocation of 'the Creator' suggests a divine origin, further legitimizing these unalienable rights by giving them moral authority beyond human institutions.

Origins and Justification of Unalienable Rights

The origins of unalienable rights are rooted in natural law theory, which posits that moral principles are inherent in human nature and discoverable through reason. This perspective contends that moral rights are not contingent upon societal consensus or legal enactments but exist independently as part of the fabric of human existence. The justification for such rights is rooted in the idea that to deny them would be to deny the inherent dignity and autonomy of individuals.

The rights are justified morally because they serve as a basis for equality and freedom. If every individual possesses these rights inherently, then any attempt by a government or authority to infringe upon them lacks moral legitimacy. The Declaration asserts that governments are instituted to secure these rights, and when they fail or become oppressive, citizens are justified, through moral right, in revolting or seeking change. This moral justification emphasizes the innate dignity of individuals and the importance of respecting their natural rights.

Natural Rights and Moral Decision-Making

The framework of 'unalienable' or natural rights fundamentally shapes moral decision-making by establishing a baseline of moral duties owed to others. If certain rights are inherent and inalienable, then respecting these rights becomes a moral obligation. This perspective encourages individuals and governments to act in ways that uphold the dignity, freedom, and equality of all persons.

For example, the right to life imparts a moral obligation not to intentionally harm others. A behavior considered morally wrong within this framework is murder, as it violates the fundamental right to life. The moral rationale is that taking another person's life without just cause infringes upon their natural rights, undermining their inherent dignity and autonomy.

Furthermore, the concept of unalienable rights promotes moral actions that respect individual autonomy—such as freedom of speech, religion, and association. Violating these rights would be morally wrong because it denies individuals their inherent dignity and the capacity for self-determination. For instance, censorship or suppression of free expression directly contravenes the right to free speech, which is considered morally wrong within this framework because it inhibits individuals' ability to think, speak, and participate fully in societal life.

Conclusion

The concept of 'unalienable' rights as articulated in the Declaration of Independence emphasizes innate human rights rooted in natural law or divine authority. These rights justify moral principles by asserting that all individuals possess inherent dignity and autonomy that must be respected. The framework of natural rights establishes morality by setting a standard that actions infringing upon these rights are inherently wrong. An example of a morally wrong behavior in this context is murder, which violates the fundamental right to life. Consequently, the notion of unalienable rights not only grounds political legitimacy but also provides a moral basis for evaluating human conduct, emphasizing respect for individual dignity and liberty as central to ethical decision-making.

References

1. Locke, J. (1690). Two Treatises of Government. Awnsham Churchill.
2. Jefferson, T. (1776). The Declaration of Independence. National Archives.
3. Rawls, J. (1971). A Theory of Justice. Harvard University Press.
4. Nozick, R. (1974). Anarchy, State, and Utopia. Basic Books.
5. Dworkin, R. (1977). Taking Rights Seriously. Harvard University Press.
6. Parekh, B. (2008). The Future of Multiculturalism. Palgrave Macmillan.
7. Sen, A. (2009). The Idea of Justice. Harvard University Press.
8. MacIntyre, A. (1981). After Virtue. University of Notre Dame Press.
9. Hannah Arendt. (1958). The Human Condition. University of Chicago Press.
10. O'Neill, O. (2002). A Question of Reason: Ethical Experience in the Philosophy of Kolakowski and MacIntyre. Cambridge University Press.