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, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government... - the Declaration of Independence, 1776 In groups of 3 ID the 4 key principles about rights and the purpose of government that are given in this section from the Declaration of Independence.
1. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal 2.... that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. 3. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. 4. That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government
the idea that all Human Beings are born with basic rights. To understand what these rights were Locke began to imagine what life would be like if there were no governments. He called this imaginary situation a State of Nature
... We must consider what state all men are naturally in, and that is a state of perfect freedom to order his actions and dispose of their possessions and persons as they think fit, within the bounds of the laws of nature, without asking leave or depending upon the will of any other man. - John Locke Imagine the class was transported to a place with enough natural resources to live on but where no one has lived before and you have no communication with the rest of the world. With that situation in mind answer the following questions:
1. Upon arrival would there be any government or laws to control how you lived, what rights or freedoms you exercised, or what property you had? Why? 2. Would anyone have the right to govern you? Would you have the right to govern anyone else? Why? 3. Would you have any rights? What would they be? 4. What might people who are smarter or stronger than others try to do? Why? 5. What might the weaker or less sophisticated people try to do? Why? 6. What might life be like for everyone?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=- AzxQawT6s4&feature=youtu.be
Pull up and read the John Locke & the Social Contract PDF on your Ipad In your groups use textual evidence to answer the following questions about Law of Nature, State of Nature and Social Contract
According to Locke what is the State of Nature? What is the Law of Nature? (find evidence in the reading to support)
The state of nature has a law of nature to govern it, which treats everyone equally [B]eing equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, or possessions. -John Locke
What are the three Natural Rights that Locke Identified? 1. Life people want to survive and they want to be as free as possible from threats to their security 2. Liberty People want to be free as possible from domination of others, to be able to make their own decisions, and to live as they please 3. Property People want the freedom to work and gain economic goods such as land, house, tools, and money, which are necessary for survival.
According to John Locke what is the Social Contract? (find evidence in the reading to support)
.... for it is not every compact that puts an end to the state of nature between men, but only this one of agreeing together mutually to enter into one community and make one body politic... -John Locke Social Contract Theory the idea that all the people in a society agree to give up part of their freedom to a government in return for protection of their natural rights by that government
In what ways can we see the social contract theory in practice in our society today? If the purpose of government is to provide security for rights of life, liberty, and property, under what circumstances, if any, should government be able to limit rights? It has been said that since people are not equal in their intelligence and character, it is unjust for everyone to have the same rights. Do you agree?