Inalienable rights and natural rights are terms that are often used interchangeably in discussions about human rights, but they do have distinct meanings that are important to understand.
Inalienable rights are those rights that cannot be taken away or transferred. They are considered fundamental rights inherent to every person, regardless of whether they are recognized by a government or society. Examples of inalienable rights include the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The concept is often associated with the Declaration of Independence in the United States, where it states that these rights are self-evident and cannot be surrendered.
On the other hand, natural rights are those rights that are believed to be granted by nature or a higher power. They exist independently of any legal or social recognition. Natural rights can be viewed as universal rights that apply to all human beings, stemming from the idea of natural law. Thinkers like John Locke argued that these rights include life, liberty, and property, and they are the foundation for legal and moral order.
In essence, while all inalienable rights can be considered natural rights, not all natural rights are inalienable. Inalienable rights emphasize the inviolable and untransferable nature of certain rights, whereas natural rights highlight the concept of rights that come from nature or a higher moral authority. Understanding this distinction is crucial when discussing individual rights and their protection within society.