What concept did Enlightenment thinkers advocate regarding individual rights?

Enlightenment thinkers championed the idea of natural rights, which are rights believed to be inherent and universal to all human beings, regardless of their social status or the government under which they live. This concept posits that individuals are born with certain unalienable rights such as life, liberty, and property. These ideas were foundational to the development of modern democracy and human rights, influencing revolutionary thought and the formation of documents like the Declaration of Independence.

The belief in natural rights challenged existing societal structures where rights were often bestowed by rulers or based on one’s social standing, helping to shift the perspective that individuals inherently possess rights simply by being human. This framing encouraged widespread discussions about equality, justice, and the role of government in protecting individual freedoms, thereby laying the groundwork for contemporary discussions on human rights and individual liberties.