Who is generally given credit for introducing fundamental human rights into the American political system?
A) Thomas Hobbes
B) John Locke
C) Thomas Jefferson
D) Alain Locke
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_rights#History_of_the_concept
The correct answer is C) Thomas Jefferson.
To arrive at this answer, let's examine the options and their respective contributions:
A) Thomas Hobbes: While Thomas Hobbes was a renowned philosopher who made significant contributions to political theory, he is not generally credited with introducing fundamental human rights into the American political system. His most influential work, "Leviathan," focused on social contracts and the necessity of a strong central authority to avoid anarchy.
B) John Locke: John Locke is widely recognized for his influential ideas on natural rights and government. He argued that individuals possess inherent and inalienable rights, including life, liberty, and property. This concept of natural rights greatly influenced the Founding Fathers and the American Revolution. However, Thomas Locke did not explicitly introduce fundamental human rights into the American political system.
C) Thomas Jefferson: Thomas Jefferson, one of the Founding Fathers and the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, played a crucial role in introducing fundamental human rights to the American political system. In the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson eloquently stated, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." These words laid the foundation for the recognition and protection of human rights in the American political system.
D) Alain Locke: Alain Locke was not directly involved in introducing fundamental human rights into the American political system. He was an influential figure in the Harlem Renaissance and made significant contributions to African-American culture, arts, and philosophy.
In summary, while both John Locke and Thomas Jefferson made important contributions to the recognition of human rights, it is Thomas Jefferson who is generally given credit for introducing fundamental human rights into the American political system through the Declaration of Independence.