John Locke’s Inalienable Rights
As we celebrate the Fourth of July, many of us reflect on the birth of the United States and the ideals enshrined in the Declaration of Independence. That founding document boldly proclaims that all people are endowed with “certain unalienable Rights,” among them “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” But what do these words mean today? And how do they connect to our modern conversations about personal freedom, including workers' rights and bodily autonomy?
Inalienable rights are fundamental and inherent—no government can grant them, and they cannot be taken away or transferred. They are universal, applying to every human being simply by virtue of their humanity. Examples include the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, as famously articulated by Thomas Jefferson, drawing inspiration from philosopher John Locke.
Locke’s concept of natural rights emphasized that we own our own bodies. He envisioned each individual as sovereign over themselves, and free to make choices about their lives and labor. This idea predates capitalism as we know it today; Locke imagined a society of small, self-sufficient landowners, each able to live freely without interference from kings or centralized authorities.
While inalienable rights are broad and foundational, workers’ rights are more specific legal protections designed to ensure fairness and dignity within employment contexts. These include rights to safe working conditions, fair wages, and the ability to organize. In many ways, workers’ rights represent an extension of the basic principle of individual sovereignty into the realm of labor.
Crucially, the idea that we own our bodies is not merely a political slogan; it is embedded in the very foundation of American philosophy. "We hold these truths to be self-evident" means that our right to self-ownership is obvious and natural. No government grants you permission to control your own body; that control is inherent.
Women, men, and all people possess this dominion over their bodies. This concept is central to ongoing debates about bodily autonomy, including discussions of sex work and reproductive rights. Regardless of where one stands on specific policies, the fundamental truth remains: each person has the right to decide what they do with their own body.
When Locke spoke of the "pursuit of happiness," he envisioned not a life of hedonistic indulgence, but the enjoyment of meaningful, sustainable pleasures, such as friendship, community, and purposeful living. He did not foresee the rise of "limbic capitalism," the modern economic system that thrives on constant stimulation and addictive consumption. Instead, Locke’s ideal was a life where individuals pursued deeper, more lasting forms of fulfillment.
As fireworks light up the sky this Fourth of July, it is worth remembering that the freedoms we celebrate are rooted in the idea that each of us owns ourselves. Our rights do not originate from government decrees; they are inherent to our humanity. Whether we are discussing labor, bodily autonomy, or the ways we find happiness, the foundation remains the same: we are free.
Ask Prof Wolff: John Locke, Karl Marx: Capitalism's Critics https://youtu.be/_S9s86da5cs?si=YqNTWiQ2sPd-IQtz
Law and Justice - Lock and Classical Liberalism - 18.3 Locke and Property https://youtu.be/D_JbcNdbTjw?si=x1V1j1rmbGPYRkTk
Reclaiming Personal Sovereignty https://youtu.be/bTKFsNJZehI?si=kqOXECHGx6s-DtKQ
What Did Our Founders Mean By the "Pursuit of Happiness?" American Fundamentals, Part 12 https://youtu.be/Nv1Rdkw5GzI?si=D8lW8ntxqVAhgI7v
Reading of the Declaration of Independence https://youtu.be/H3AfKTXF9wU?si=CZodOVEBG9TSxwXy