Lesson 1: What would life be like in a State of Nature?

Pages 1 to 6

Question to Ponder•What are the things that all people always need and seek, no matter what they believe, no matter when or where they live?

Natural Rights

•What are they?•Do they affect us? If so how?

Re-read pages 2-3 – What is the Natural rights philosophy?

What are the key principles and purpose to government?

Ideas and Principles

1.All human beings are created equal and they are endowed with certain rights

2.These are rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness (property)

Ideas and Principles cont.3. Govt. is created for the purpose of

protecting life, liberty, and property4. Govts. derive their power by

consent & whenever a govt. abuses its power at the expense of the rights of its citizens, citizens have the right to change or eliminate govt. & establish a new one

John Locke

• Who is he? When did he live?

• What is he good for? I’ll say it again what is he good for?

John Locke

• Natural Rights philosophy

• State of nature

Locke’s questions

1. What is human nature? 2. What is purpose of govt.?3. How do people running the govt. get

power?4. How should govt. be organized?5. What kinds of govt. should be

respected and protected?6. What kinds of govt. should be resisted

and fought?

Break into groups of five

Group assignmentsA Reader – person who reads the

questions to the group1st and 2nd Responders – to initiate the

discussion A Reporter – this person will report out

their finds to the rest of the groupA Recorder – this person will write the

response – this needs to be neat!!! Illegible writing WILL NOT be graded

Critical Thinking – Taking the Position of a Political

Philosopher

Answer Questions 1 – 6

Be ready to discuss

After Class Discussion

• Compare your answers to John Locke – Is he right or is he wrong?

Question to Ponder•What are the things that all people always need and seek, no matter what they believe, no matter when or where they live?

Life, Liberty, and Property

What do these terms mean to you and me?

What is the significance of Locke’s definition of natural rights to life,

liberty, and property?

• Read page5

Distinguish between the types of rights

• Natural Rights

• Civil Rights

• Political Rights

Why do we political and civil rights to protect natural rights?

Do you remember agreeing to “RULES” of

the country?

What?

You didn’t sign a contract saying you would agree to abide by the laws… why then must you follow the rules?

What did Locke mean by the “Social Contract”?

Read page 61. After reading get with a partner2. Answer questions: What do you

think?3. One paper per group4. BE READY to share your

answers