What were the Founding Fathers' views on the concept of natural rights and its influence on the US Constitution?

The Founding Fathers believed that natural rights were a fundamental part of human existence, and that these rights should be protected by the government. Natural rights are rights that are not given to us by the government, but are inherent to our existence as human beings. The Founding Fathers believed that these rights included life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

The concept of natural rights had a profound influence on the US Constitution. The Constitution was designed to limit the power of the government and protect the natural rights of the people. The Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments to the Constitution, further protected individual rights and liberties.

Many of the Founding Fathers were influenced by the writings of John Locke, a philosopher who believed that all people had natural rights, and that these rights should be protected by the government. The Founding Fathers were also influenced by the Enlightenment, a philosophical movement that emphasized reason, liberty, and progress.