Malcolm Rivera
The phrase We hold these truths to be self-evident is famously proclaimed in the Declaration of Independence, a document that outlines the principles on which the US government and American identity are based. The Declaration of Independence is not legally binding, but it has had a profound influence on American political thought and continues to inspire people worldwide to fight for freedom and equality. The phrase We hold these truths to be self-evident introduces the fundamental idea that all men are created equal and endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This concept of self-evident truth is rooted in the belief that certain truths are inherently known or understood by all humans and has been explored by influential thinkers throughout history, including Thomas Aquinas, who argued that some truths, such as the existence of God and moral law, are naturally implanted in humanity. The recognition of self-evident truth in the Declaration of Independence has had a significant impact on American political philosophy, shaping the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, which establish a system of government intended to secure the inherent rights of its citizens.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Self-evident truth | All men are created equal |
| They are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights | |
| These rights include life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness | |
| Governments are instituted to secure these rights | |
| Governments derive their power from the consent of the governed | |
| The people have the right to alter or abolish a government that does not secure these rights | |
| The people have the right to institute a new government that will secure these rights | |
| The existence of God and God's universal moral law, or the Law of Nature |
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What You'll Learn
The Declaration of Independence of 1776
The Declaration of Independence conveys the principle of self-evident truth, stating: "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." This principle contributed to the American understanding of a Creator God, the Law of Nature, and the equality and natural rights of mankind. The inclusion of "self-evident" in the Declaration of Independence reflects the influence of early thinkers such as Locke and Sidney, who connected these ideas with the Bible and other principles.
The phrase "self-evident" in the Declaration of Independence suggests that certain truths are inherently known or understood without the need for proof or justification. In this context, it means that the equality of all people and their possession of fundamental rights are inherent and undeniable. This concept of self-evident truth has been explored by theologians and philosophers, including Thomas Aquinas, who acknowledged that some truths are "naturally implanted" in humans and are therefore self-evident.
The Declaration of Independence served as a formal explanation of why the Thirteen Colonies regarded themselves as independent sovereign states no longer subject to British colonial rule. It summarized the colonists' motivations for seeking independence, citing 27 colonial grievances against King George III and asserting certain natural and legal rights, including the right of revolution. By declaring independence, the American colonists confirmed an official alliance with the Government of France and obtained French assistance in the war against Great Britain.
The Declaration of Independence was a courageous act of high treason against the British Crown, punishable by torture and death. It represented a significant step towards the establishment of a more perfect union, justice, domestic tranquility, common defence, and the securing of liberties for the people of the United States of America.
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Equality and natural rights of mankind
The phrase "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" is one of the most famous lines from the Declaration of Independence. This line conveys the principle of self-evident truth, which holds value from both a secular, scientific standpoint and a religious, biblical standpoint.
The idea of equality and natural rights of mankind is a central theme of the Declaration of Independence. This principle of equality is often referred to as the "American Principle of Equality". It is the belief that all people are born with certain inherent and natural rights that cannot be taken away. These rights include life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and the pursuit of safety. The inclusion of this principle in the Declaration of Independence was influenced by the political philosophy of the Enlightenment, which held that people have certain unalienable rights that come from God or from their humanity, rather than from the government.
The concept of equality and natural rights of mankind in the Declaration of Independence was also influenced by earlier thinkers. For example, the medieval priest John Ball, who, at the outbreak of the 1381 Peasants' Revolt, proclaimed, "From the beginning, all men by nature were created alike". Another influence was the philosopher John Locke, who argued in his 1690 work "Second Treatise of Government" that in the "state of nature" that existed before the formation of governments, all men were created equal. John Milton's 1649 book "The Tenure of Kings and Magistrates" defended the rights of Parliament and asserted that "all men naturally were borne free, being the image and resemblance of God himself".
The inclusion of the phrase "all men are created equal" in the Declaration of Independence has had a significant impact on subsequent declarations of rights and constitutions. The sentiment, if not the exact wording, can be found in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Germany's Basic Laws, and the Constitution of Algeria, among others. The phrase is often used as a framing device to emphasize that all the rights listed in a declaration or constitution apply equally to every person.
The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights are considered the three most important documents in American history. The Declaration of Independence, written in 1776, was a statement of the colonies' intention to separate from Great Britain and form a new nation. The Constitution, written in 1787, established the structure and powers of the new government, and the Bill of Rights, proposed in 1789, outlined the specific rights and freedoms guaranteed to the people.
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The American Quest for Self-Government
The American Revolution was a period of great change and development, and a key aspect was the quest for self-government. This was underpinned by a set of beliefs and values that were considered self-evident. The Declaration of Independence of 1776 is a powerful statement of these self-evident truths, which include the belief that "all men are created equal" and endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This concept of self-evident truth was not new, with historical Christian thinkers such as Thomas Aquinas acknowledging the existence of naturally implanted truths in human beings, including the existence of God and God's universal moral law.
The Declaration of Independence, while not legally binding, provided the principles upon which the American government and identity were founded. It gave Americans the right to abolish any form of government that became destructive of these ends and to institute a new government that secured their safety and happiness. This right was not to be exercised lightly, and the Declaration recognised that long-established governments should not be changed for minor reasons.
The quest for self-government was also reflected in the US Constitution, which established a system of representative democracy with a Congress consisting of a Senate and House of Representatives. The Constitution vested legislative powers in this Congress, with the House of Representatives being directly elected by the people every two years. The Senate, meanwhile, was composed of two Senators from each state, serving six-year terms, with one-third of the Senate being chosen every second year.
In conclusion, the American quest for self-government was a pivotal aspect of the American Revolution, shaped by a range of religious, moral, and philosophical influences. The Declaration of Independence, with its assertion of self-evident truths, and the US Constitution, with its structure of representative democracy, laid the foundation for a nation committed to freedom, equality, and the inherent rights of its citizens.
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The Law of Nature
Italian theologian Thomas Aquinas, in his Summa Theologica (1265-1274), acknowledged the existence of self-evident truths naturally implanted in human beings. Among these truths, Aquinas included the existence of God and God's universal moral law, or the Law of Nature. Aquinas' ideas were influenced by earlier theologians such as Augustine of Hippo, John of Damascus, and later, John Calvin and Richard Hooker.
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The Principle of Popular Sovereignty
Firstly, popular sovereignty is evident in the direct involvement of the people or their representatives in the creation of a constitution. This is exemplified in the US Constitution, which begins with the words "We the People of the United States", underscoring the principle that the people are the ultimate source of governmental power. The constitution goes on to outline the legislative powers vested in Congress, composed of a Senate and House of Representatives, with members chosen by the people of the states.
Secondly, in a democracy, the constitution is ratified by a majority vote of the people or their elected representatives. This process ensures that the foundational laws of a nation are established with the consent and approval of the governed.
Thirdly, the people are directly or indirectly involved in proposing and ratifying amendments to their constitution. This allows for the evolution of laws to meet the changing needs and values of the populace, ensuring that the government remains responsive to those it serves.
Finally, popular sovereignty is demonstrated through public elections, where citizens indicate their support for their government and hold their representatives accountable. By participating in elections, citizens exercise their right to influence public policy decisions and ensure that their government acts in accordance with the principles outlined in the constitution.
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Frequently asked questions
"Self-evident" refers to the idea that certain truths are inherently known and do not require proof.
The Declaration of Independence states that "all men are created equal" and possess "unalienable Rights" such as "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
These self-evident truths form the basis of the American government and identity, justifying the existence of natural rights and equality for all mankind.
The US Constitution, established by "We the People," aims to secure these self-evident truths and natural rights. It outlines principles such as justice, domestic tranquility, common defence, and general welfare, which are derived from the Declaration of Independence.
