Which of the following best describes the characteristics of rights?

• A. Universal, indivisible, inherent and inalienable.
• B. Limited, revocable, and contingent.
• C. Only for adults.
• D. Tangible possessions.

Answer: (A)

Rights are entitlements that belong to every person by virtue of being human. The best description emphasizes that they are universal, meaning they apply to all people regardless of age, gender, nationality, or status. They are inherent because they exist as part of being human, not because a government or authority grants them. They are inalienable, so they cannot be taken away or surrendered easily; a person retains them unless there is due process or a very exceptional circumstance. And they are indivisible in the sense that rights form a cohesive set—the protection of one right often supports the protection of others, so you can’t truly exercise one without considering the whole bundle of rights.

The other descriptions don’t fit because rights aren’t simply limited, revocable, and contingent privileges, nor are they restricted to adults, nor are they just tangible possessions.