What are Unalienable Rights? Check Meaning, History, and Examples

The American founding document contains a phrase called unalienable rights that echoes through the centuries. But what exactly are these inalienable rights that Thomas Jefferson penned in 1776? These rights represent the profound philosophical basis upon which the United States was built. They assert that certain freedoms are fundamental to every human being. They were bestowed by the Creator and are beyond the reach of any government. So, what is the true meaning of unalienable rights, the very essence of American independence? 

True Meaning of Unalienable Rights

The term unalienable from the Declaration of Independence means that there are certain rights no human being can be deprived of. It was a gift from the Almighty. Therefore, it cannot be transferred, surrendered, or taken away by any government or earthly authority. They exist prior to and independent of any man-made laws or governing bodies. As the National Constitution Center explains, these rights are "inherent in all people by virtue of their being human." It means the government does not grant unalienable rights; they are instituted to protect them. 

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Unalienable Rights in the Declaration of Independence

The most famous articulation of unalienable rights comes from the Declaration of Independence by Thomas Jefferson.  The core of the American understanding of unalienable rights is as follows. 

1. Life: The right to exist and to be free from unwarranted governmental interference with one's physical being. It implies protection from arbitrary violence and the right to self-preservation.

2. Liberty: Freedom from oppressive control and the right to make choices about your own life. It would be limited only by the equal rights of others. This extends beyond mere physical freedom to intellectual and moral autonomy.

3. Pursuit of Happiness: It may not mean a guarantee of happiness itself. Everyone has the right to pursue their goal, dreams, and well-being, as long as it does not affect the rights of others. This includes the right to own property, too. The concept was expanded from John Locke's "life, liberty, and property" and the right to choose one's own path in life.

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Unalienable Rights vs. Inalienable Rights

Both unalienable and inalienable appear as two words but mean the same thing. While unalienable is the term used in the Declaration of Independence, inalienable is the more commonly accepted spelling today. The two words are largely interchangeable in meaning, that is, non-transferable to another or not capable of being taken away or denied. It is purely indicative of a slight spelling difference due to evolving linguistic preference rather than a distinct legal or philosophical meaning.  

The concept of unalienable rights also has its roots in the philosophical tradition of natural rights. It was prominently articulated by Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke. Locke argued that individuals possess inherent rights to life, liberty, and property by virtue of their human nature. All of them are independent of the government. Whereas governments are formed through a social contract to protect these pre-existing natural rights. Jefferson was profoundly influenced by this philosophical view of Locke and adapted these ideas later for the Declaration.