Explain

Complete this crossword (optional). Use the content below as a reference.

Based on this comic, what is social contract theory? Write your predictions down in your notebook. If you have prior knowledge of social contract theory, how does that knowledge align with the comic's content?

The Declaration’s Roots

The social contract refers to an imaginary agreement between individuals in a society, where they willingly give up some freedoms in exchange for protection and order from the government.

John Locke’s ideas about natural rights, such as life, liberty, and property, were incorporated into the Declaration as "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." His theory of “natural law” states that human beings are “by nature free, equal and independent.” Locke also emphasized that governments exist to protect these rights and can be overthrown if they fail to do so, which is reflected in the Declaration's belief in the people's right to revolt against an unjust government.

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

…that to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed

…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.

We believe everyone is created equal, and should be afforded the right to pursue life, liberty, and happiness as they see it–

–that to protect these rights, governments are designed by and get their powers from its People…

…and when any design of government begins to remove their freedoms, it's the sole responsibility of the People to repair or replace it.

When reading the Declaration many stop at the pursuit of happiness, stressing the importance of individual rights alone, but this section of the text isn’t only about individual rights. It’s about the social contract between individuals and our government. The responsibility of the government is to protect individual rights and the responsibility of individuals is to alter or abolish governments that fail to do so. This is called the right of revolution or the right of rebellion.

What are the rhetorical appeals?

Ethos appeals to…

Ethics and credibility. It focuses on the speaker’s trustworthiness, credentials, reputation, and experience.

Pathos appeals to…

Emotions and feeling. It focuses on empathy, emotions along with the audience’s values and beliefs.

Logos appeals to…

Logic and reasoning. It focuses on message, reason, and data to support the speaker’s claim.

Kairos appeals to…

Urgency and timing. It focuses on timeliness, perfect timing, and appropriate structure and tone.

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