# Property and Individual Rights in The Religion of Nature Delineated

> Theme guide for The Religion of Nature Delineated by William Wollaston.

It emphasizes that every individual has a natural property in their life, limbs, labor, and its products, and that violating this property—such as by theft or oppression—is a denial of truth and a moral evil, with men being equal in a state of nature.

## Where it surfaces

- [VI: Truths Respecting Mankind in General, Antecedent to All Human Laws](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_religion_of_nature_delineated_se/chapters/vi-truths-respecting-mankind-in-general-antecedent-to-all-human-laws): Discusses natural rights to property, self-defense, and recovery of what is taken by force, asserting that these rights are antecedent to human laws.
- [VII: Truths Respecting Particular Societies of Men, or Governments](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_religion_of_nature_delineated_se/chapters/vii-truths-respecting-particular-societies-of-men-or-governments): The protection of property is a central end of society, and laws are needed to ascertain and secure property rights.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_religion_of_nature_delineated_se/themes/property_and_individual_rights
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_religion_of_nature_delineated_se/themes