Individual Rights Day

Individual Rights Day is on August 29th. This is an extremely important day for all of us. Can we imagine today that our identity may not belong to us? That we cannot independently, of our own free will, perform any simple actions? That our property is easily disposed of by strangers? But after all, all this was quite possible quite recently from the point of view of human history! A person could be sold into slavery. They were forbidden to dispose of both their own body and property. We owe the idea of a state that protects the personal freedom of its citizens to the first philosopher of the Enlightenment, the Englishman John Locke.

History

We celebrate Individual Rights Day on the birthday of John Locke. He was born on 29 August 1632 in the small village of Wrington in Somerset.

In his books, he defended the natural right of man – to property. What, in his opinion, was human property? Not only material values, but also life, freedom, and creations of his mind (that is, intellectual property). Locke understood freedom as the ability to dispose of all this, as well as to move freely and work freely, and enjoy the results of this work.

Man, according to Locke, must be “the master of his own personality.” By this, he denied any personal dependence of one person on another: slave owners and slaves, serfs and lords, patrons and clients should not exist. Without such a relationship, a person is free.

Interesting Facts

Locke’s name can be found in works of popular culture:

• In Michelangelo Antonioni’s film Profession: Reporter, filmed in 1975, the name of the protagonist is David, and the surname is Locke. He dreams of getting rid of his own personality and the responsibility associated with it.
• In the cult series Lost (2004-2010), a brave and intelligent but rather naive character is named after the philosopher.
• The nickname “Locke” was taken by a teenage boy Peter Wiggin, the older brother of the protagonist in the cycle of novels by O.S. Card’s Ender’s Game.

How to Take Part

Celebrate Individual Rights Day by learning more about John Locke. Here are some steps and ideas to help you get started:

1. Read Locke’s Works: Dive into John Locke’s seminal works, such as “Two Treatises of Government” and “An Essay Concerning Human Understanding.” These texts provide deep insights into his philosophy on natural rights, property, and the role of government.
2. Discussion Groups: Organize or join a discussion group focusing on Locke’s ideas. Engaging in discussions with others can help deepen your understanding and allow you to see different perspectives on his theories.
3. Documentaries and Films: Watch documentaries or films about John Locke and the Enlightenment period. Visual and auditory learning can complement your reading and make the historical context more vivid.
4. Reflect on Individual Rights: Reflect on your own rights and freedoms. Consider how Locke’s ideas apply to modern society and your life. Think about the importance of protecting these rights and how you can advocate for them.
5. Educational Workshops: Attend or host workshops on individual rights and their historical development. These events can be a great way to spread awareness and educate others about the importance of personal freedom.
6. Social Media Campaign: Use social media to share interesting facts and quotes from John Locke. Encourage discussions and raise awareness about Individual Rights Day using hashtags like #IndividualRightsDay and #JohnLocke.

When is Individual Rights Day in 2024?

Individual Rights Day is observed on August 29 each year.

Observations