The Enlightenment principle advocating for the inherent equality of all individuals is closely associated with the idea of natural rights, as articulated by philosophers like John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau. This principle posits that every person possesses inherent dignity and worth, regardless of social class, religion, or ethnicity. It significantly influenced democratic thought and movements for human rights, particularly during the American and French Revolutions. Enlightenment thinkers argued for equality under the law, challenging aristocratic privilege and advocating for the concept that all men are created equal. This has had lasting implications for the development of democratic societies.