Define the term "natural rights".

• A. Rights granted by the government
• B. Rights that are inherent to all individuals and not dependent on laws or customs
• C. Rights that vary by culture
• D. Rights only applicable to citizens

Answer: (B)

The term "natural rights" refers to rights that are inherent to all individuals by virtue of being human. These rights are not granted or dependent upon the laws, customs, or government authority, which distinguishes them from legal rights that can change based on different jurisdictions or societal norms. The concept of natural rights originates from Enlightenment thinkers, such as John Locke, who believed that these rights include life, liberty, and property.

This understanding positions natural rights as universal and unalienable, meaning they cannot be justly taken away or denied by any authority or system. This principle is foundational to many democratic societies, which assert that governments are established to protect these inherent rights rather than to create them.

The other options suggest different interpretations that do not align with the established definition of natural rights. For instance, rights granted by the government are not natural rights, as they depend on specific legal frameworks. Rights that vary by culture imply a relativistic approach that undermines the universality of natural rights. Lastly, rights that are only applicable to citizens contradict the notion that these rights are universal to all human beings, regardless of citizenship status.