Week 3 Reflection Assignment 3.4
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Week 3 Reflection Assignment 3.4
Reflection Assignment 3.4
Edgar Toro Heredia
Bellevue University
LA400_LA410_LA420-C318 AMERICAN VISION AND VALUES
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Week 3 Reflection Assignment 3.4
The second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence, often considered the preamble, begins with the famous words: "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." The paragraph outlines several key concepts, and here is an interpretation and analysis:
1.
We hold these truths to be self-evident
: The phrase "self-evident truths" suggests that the principles mentioned are universally and inherently obvious, requiring no elaborate explanation.
Values: Reflects the Enlightenment idea that certain rights and principles are fundamental and don't need to be proven. This emphasis on reason and natural law was important to the founders as it provided a philosophical foundation for their arguments for independence.
2.
That all men are created equal
: This asserts the equality of all individuals in terms of basic human rights and dignity, challenging hierarchical systems based on birth or class.
Values
: Reflects the Enlightenment concept of egalitarianism and the rejection of the divine right of kings. It emphasizes the idea that no one is inherently superior or inferior by birthright, and everyone is entitled to the same rights.
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Week 3 Reflection Assignment 3.4
3.
That they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights
: Implies that these rights are not granted by governments or individuals but are inherent to human nature and bestowed by a higher power.
Values
: Reflects the founders' belief in natural law, suggesting that certain rights are beyond the reach of government interference. This concept underscores the idea that governments exist to protect these inherent rights rather than grant or deny them.
4.
That among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness
: Lists three fundamental rights life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness that the government is obligated to protect.
Values
: Reflects the core values of individual freedom and the pursuit of one's well-being. The emphasis on the pursuit of happiness, a term influenced
by Enlightenment philosopher John Locke, illustrates the founders' commitment to the idea that individuals have the right to pursue their fulfillment and prosperity.
5.
That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men
: Explicitly states that the primary purpose of government is to protect the natural rights of individuals. This includes the right to life, liberty (which encompasses freedom from arbitrary rule and the ability to pursue one's own goals), and the pursuit of happiness (the right to live a fulfilling life).
Values
: Protection of Individual Rights. The passage states that governments
exist to secure certain natural rights, namely life, liberty, and the pursuit of
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Week 3 Reflection Assignment 3.4
happiness. This reflects the belief that individuals have inherent rights that predate and are superior to any government.
6.
Deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed
: Asserts that the
legitimacy of government comes from the agreement or consent of the people it governs.
Values
: Reflects the idea of popular sovereignty, emphasizing the founders' commitment to representative democracy and the rejection of absolute monarchy. It underscores the notion that governments exist to serve the people and protect their rights, and if a government fails in this duty, the people have the right to alter or abolish it.
7.
That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”
:
The statement "whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it" enshrines the principle of popular sovereignty. This means that the ultimate power resides with the people, who have the right to choose their government and change it if it fails to serve their interests.
Values
: Popular Sovereignty. The people are ultimately the source of government legitimacy. If a government fails to uphold its purpose of protecting rights, the people have the right to overthrow it and establish a new
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Week 3 Reflection Assignment 3.4
one that better serves their needs. This reflects the idea that governments derive their power from the consent of the governed.
These values were important to the founders as they sought to justify their declaration of independence and establish a new nation based on principles of individual rights, equality, and government by consent a radical departure from the monarchical systems of the time. The second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence articulates key Enlightenment principles:
Self-evident truths
: Asserts that fundamental rights are universally apparent,
aligning with Enlightenment ideals of reason and natural law.
Equality
: Declares the inherent equality of all individuals, challenging hierarchical systems and promoting egalitarianism.
Unalienable Rights
: Implies that rights are innate and beyond government control, reflecting a belief in natural law and limiting government interference.
Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness
: Lists core rights that governments must protect, emphasizing individual freedom and the pursuit of well-being.
Consent of the governed
: Asserts that government legitimacy stems from the people's consent, aligning with the concept of popular sovereignty and rejecting absolute monarchy.
These values were crucial to the founders as they justified independence and laid the groundwork for a government based on individual rights, equality, and
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Week 3 Reflection Assignment 3.4
consented a profound departure from prevailing monarchical systems. The Declaration remains a cornerstone of American political philosophy.
When comparing the Declaration of Independence to the Letter from Birmingham
Jail, both documents argue that unjust laws must be broken in order for change to occur. There are very different reasons why these authors believe the laws are unfair. As Jefferson says in the Declaration of Independence, "life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness" are threatened by laws that are infringing on these rights. According to King,
in the "Letter from Birmingham Jail," laws are being enacted that challenge Christians' moral authority. Because both the Declaration of Independence and the Letter from Birmingham Jail have been successful in introducing reforms in the government of the United States of America, we can see how they've changed the country. While the two writers use completely different methods to bring about change, they both wish to make the nation a place of peace and equality for everyone by preventing the government from infringing on people's rights.
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Week 3 Reflection Assignment 3.4
References
Declaration of Independence: a transcription. (2023, October 11). National Archives. https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript
USCivicsTraining. (2009, April 16). Understanding the Declaration of Independence - 9 key concepts Everyone should know [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cS-tshQ9sys
Letter from a Birmingham Jail [King, Jr.]. (n.d.). https://www.africa.upenn.edu/Articles_Gen/Letter_Birmingham.html