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Concerning Natural Rights

The concept of natural rights is as old as mankind's ability to conceive of, and use higher intellect and reason. the concept permeates many ideology's, most of which are considered based on democratic-republican and imperialistic government structures.
There are many definitions of natural rights and understandings of the natural state of mankind. However there are some fundamental elements that are similar throughout the spectrum of ideas, the study of these elements can potentially provide a deeper understanding and simpler definition natural rights that has alluded mans attempts so far.
First, almost all of the more widely accepted understandings of natural rights admit that natural rights can be infringed. This means that another person, or organization can, while not eliminating those rights, can cause the exercise of those rights to be hazardous to the individuals self-preservation which is the fundamental and most basic motive for action.
In this way peoples actions though not their thoughts, at least immediately, can be controlled by artificially changing outcomes that under normal circumstances would not exist.
Secondly, natural rights are universal. this means that every human being that has ever, will ever, and currently lives. This applies regardless of race, national or regional origin, sex, intelligence, and even creed or religion. They apply no matter the individuals marital status, sexual orientation, or any other distinguishing factors, except weather a person is in some way compelled to action or prevented from it through some compulsion such as force. In these cases, it is others actions that have infringed upon their rights. In other words these rights exist innately.
Thirdly, natural rights can be traded, transferred or "given up": either partially or fully, as long as it is done willingly, in exchange for a protection or enhancement of other rights or an individuals capacity to act upon those rights they maintain.
The most typically cited example is when an individual gives up his right to keep all of his or her earnings, money or property in order to pay taxes in exchange for services. The honest and fair use of those taxes provides the individual as well as the community he or she is apart of the infrastructure that increases all participants ability to get work done, such as roads, ferry s, and fords to name some of the more direct benefits. This exchange, and the need of enforcement in lue of trust, is considered the origin of government.
This type of exchange can also take place with property in trade, time and labor in the client/provider or employee/employer relationships.
some have even deemed this "mutual exchange" of rights for increases in capability or capacity is in and of its self a natural right. arguing this point as a component or trait of natural rights, or in and of its self a natural right is arguing semantics that would distract from the importance and innate nature of this exchange.
Lastly, though natural rights are similar to, or rather related to capacity of individuals, these two things are separate and are not the same. A good example of this can be found in people who are crippled physically. A man who has no legs may have the right to travel alone, however lacks the capacity to do so without assistance. In this way government, employee/employer, and client/provider relationships provide for the right to varius things, but not the capacity or capability.
 
In those days they believed that each bush had its own spirit and the Gods would smite the enemy, if you bribed them.
 
joG;bt2801 said:
In those days they believed that each bush had its own spirit and the Gods would smite the enemy, if you bribed them.
Its been a while, but some people still believe the former, and others still try the latter.
 
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