ipl-logo

Ethical Issues In The Declaration Of Independence

528 Words3 Pages

The Declaration of Independence, penned and published on July 4th 1776, is perhaps the most famous document in the short history of human rights. Written largely by Thomas Jefferson, it is the first succinct, unashamedly loud declaration of the equal rights of man. The Declaration took the philosophy of men like Hobbes and Locke and put it into practice, deciding that the “self-evident” rights of man could no longer be abused by tyrannical government. The Declaration affirms that the rights to “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” were written “Laws of Nature” that every man should be afforded equally and without limitations. It also declares that the oppression of rights is wrong and tyrannical. The rule of George III over the United …show more content…

The Declaration states plainly that the infringement of their rights should not be tolerated and that “it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish” any government or state abusing their authority over their subjects. Therefore, according to Jefferson, it is the duty of the state to protect these fundamental rights of man and nature, and that the right to challenge and depose abusive systems of government should be included in those fundamental rights. The Declaration of Independence is a linguistic feat, as well as a philosophical and political one. Jefferson expectedly crafted each sentence, carefully and deliberately chose his words, to leave the strongest possible impact. The document has three distinct and deliberate semantic fields running through it; one of oppression and tyranny, one of necessity and inevitability, and one of freedom and security. The crimes of the English government become harsh and repressive through Jefferson’s prose; words like “usurpations”, “destructive”, “imposing” and “depriving” create the image of a daunting figurehead actively carrying

Show More
Related
457 Words | 2 Pages

During the oppressive, tyrannical movements of the British Crown under King George III, the American Colonists felt succumbed to dictatorial leadership as rights were hijacked, taxes imposed, and laws enforced. Feeling persecuted by Great Britain, the colonists joined in the Continental Congress to express their beliefs as free people and penned the Declaration of Independence, by using the words of Philosophers of the Enlightenment. The leading consultants included Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Montesquieu, and John Locke. Contemplating happiness and equality while writing this critical script, and fighting against tyrannical movements, this fundamental document began a New World country and initially started the American Revolution. Tyrannical operations

Read More
563 Words | 3 Pages

The Declaration of Independence was a list of grievances against the King and also an explanation to other nations why the colonies had separated from Britain. The Declaration was written based on certain truths and remember to keep certain beliefs in mind. All men are meant to be equal and to have certain, “unalienable” rights that the government can never take away. These rights include "life, liberty and the pursuit of

Read More
759 Words | 4 Pages

The document goes on to state, “The history of the present King of Great Britain…of an absolute tyranny over these States” (242). In this particular piece, the society has turn against an individual, rather than an individual turning away from a society’s standards. Jefferson writes about the colonist’s realities. He does so by stating, “When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to…declare the causes which impel them to the separation” (240). Jefferson asserts that the people don’t get the respect they deserve.

Read More
768 Words | 4 Pages

“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” (U.S.). This quote, from the Declaration of Independence, is probably one of the most well-known quote there is. It speaks of man’s right to be free and equal of any one man out there. As we have all learned in our history class back in junior high, the Declaration of Independence was written mainly by Thomas Jefferson to explain why the colonies wanted independence from Great Britain. This document is a list of complaints by the English colonists’ against King George III.

Read More
1271 Words | 6 Pages

John Locke and Voltaire: Their Influence on America In 1776 Philadelphia, the founding fathers of the future United States gathered together to change the world. With the increasing hardships of an oppressive monarchy, a group of men signed a declaration with a detailed outline for establishing a perfect country. However, the founding fathers did not come up with these ideals; instead, these concepts were created in sixteenth and seventeenth century Europe by philosophers during the movement known as the Enlightenment.

Read More
423 Words | 2 Pages

The Declaration of Independence drafted on July 4, 1776 states, “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.” According to this document, every American citizen should have access to any opportunity that has the potential to enhance his health, happiness, or, prosperity.

Read More
711 Words | 3 Pages

(Boyer et al, 159) The Declaration of Independence fought for equality-transcended boundaries of class, race and gender and challenged the following generations to bring this ideal becomes reality. This is very impactful since there are obvious inequalities among these

Read More
315 Words | 2 Pages

Jefferson 's outlining of the Declaration of Independence follows Aristotle 's philosophy of disagreement (in his Rhetoric), particularly, invention, by utilizing three types of argument; ethos, pathos, logos. Jefferson demonstrates his illustration that the American colonies have no choice but the dispersed from Great Britain. The principle of ethos is to show to the reader that the author is a rational individual and is therefore trustworthy. Jefferson does this very proficiently in the first line of the Declaration when he proclaims to the world that the Declaration is created out of admiration for those who must judge the rightness or wrongness of the colonies ' choice to break with Great Britain.

Read More
157 Words | 1 Pages

"He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good." (168) Jefferson addresses this problem because, the King is refusing to enforce laws the colonists need. It is crucial to point out this problem, for it can lead to further denials by King George III. He is in a way deriving them of their unalienable rights, of which nobody has the right to take. " For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent."

Read More
424 Words | 2 Pages

When you sign a contract you make a deal and you expect that deal to be upheld. The Declaration of Independence was a contract drafted by Thomas Jefferson for the Second Continental Congress in 1774. The Declaration of Independence has four main principles, all men are created equal, all people have basic rights that cannot be taken away, the government acquires its power to make decisions and protect rights from the people, and when the government does not protect the rights of the people, the people have the right to change or remove the government. These principles have been mostly upheld. The first line of the Declaration says "we the people, " this line originally only included free, wealthy, landowning, white men.

Read More
669 Words | 3 Pages

Reading 1, Question 1: Thomas Jefferson begins the Declaration of Independence discussing why sometimes it is necessary to disband political ties with another party or nation on the grounds of both the laws of nature and of God. The first reason he gives defending the Colonies’ right to revolt is that whenever a government becomes caustic to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness it is the responsibility of the people to end this rule and replace it with a new one. He states the these governments should not be revolted against unless there is dire need as in the instant of his second reason for rebellion- after a long series of abuse and neglect again demand a new government to provide security from said abuses. Jefferson repeatedly mentions

Read More
842 Words | 4 Pages

The Declaration of Independence states: “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." The Declaration of Independence is a written version of our rights as humans in America. It is saying that every person is equal, with equal opportunities. The people are given rights at birth that can not be taken away. The document gives all the “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” as basic human rights.

Read More
695 Words | 3 Pages

In The Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson writes, “When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth…” Thomas Jefferson is saying that when a group of people aren’t being treated how they should they need to separate from each other instead of suffer. The problems when asking for better treatment, which led to the colonists wanting independence from the king were unfair treatment, refusal of rights, and inequality. The first problem the colonists had with Britain was unfair treatment from the King. The King wanted the colonists to struggle, so he made all the colonists suffer by transporting them overseas and having unfair court trials to make them guilty.

Read More
404 Words | 2 Pages

Declaration of Independence Every man in the universe have rights, and were created equally. Every man has a right to life. This is the main and fundamental right. This right should not at any time be violated.

Read More
908 Words | 4 Pages

In The Declaration of Independence, Jefferson states, “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

Read More

More about Ethical Issues In The Declaration Of Independence

Related Topics

Open Document