Locke's Law of Nature

Locke's Law of Nature states that, in the state of nature, individuals have inherent rights to life, liberty, and property, because these rights come from natural law—an understanding of moral order accessible through reason. People are naturally equal and should respect each other’s rights. While the natural law guides moral behavior, conflicts may arise over possessions, so individuals have the right to enforce natural rights—typically by punishing wrongdoing—before forming social contracts for organized society. Essentially, natural law provides the moral foundation for respecting freedoms and resolving disputes peacefully.