Final answer:
According to natural rights ethicists like John Locke and Ayn Rand, rights stem from the concept of natural rights, which are inherent and universal. These rights include life, liberty, and property, and the government's role is to protect them through a social contract.
Step-by-step explanation:
The natural rights ethicists, such as John Locke and Ayn Rand, believe that rights stem from the concept of natural rights. These natural rights are considered to be inherent and universal, independent of any societal or governmental laws. According to Locke, natural rights include the right to life, liberty, and property, while Rand emphasized individual rights and the pursuit of self-interest. These philosophers argued that the purpose of government is to protect these natural rights through a social contract.