In the realm of philosophy, which idea is associated with John Locke?

John Locke is a pivotal figure in the realm of political philosophy, particularly known for his theories regarding natural rights. He proposed that individuals inherently possess rights to life, liberty, and property simply by being human, which he described as natural rights. Locke's belief is that these rights are fundamental and should be protected by the government, rather than granted by it. This perspective laid the groundwork for modern democratic thought and the social contract theory, where governments exist to secure these rights for the citizens.

This emphasis on natural rights distinguished Locke's ideas from others that might assert rights come from government authority or that humans are inherently corrupt and require strict governance. In contrast to the notion of limited or no equality as a societal goal, Locke directly advocated for the protection and respect of individual rights, thereby promoting the understanding that equality in terms of rights is essential for any legitimate government.