Who asserted that individuals have certain natural rights, including the right to make their own choices and own property?

John Locke is recognized for asserting that individuals possess certain natural rights, which include the right to make their own choices and the right to own property. Locke's philosophy is foundational in the development of liberal political theory and emphasizes the idea that individuals are entitled to these rights by virtue of their humanity. He believed that the protection of natural rights is a primary purpose of government, and he argued that governments should exist with the consent of the governed and should be formed to safeguard these rights. Locke's views significantly influenced the formation of modern democratic states and were particularly impactful during the Enlightenment, helping to shape the thoughts of many subsequent political philosophers and the framers of various democratic constitutions.

In contrast, the other figures mentioned had differing focuses: Rousseau dealt more with social contracts and the collective will, Kant emphasized moral imperatives rather than natural rights, and John Rawls is known for his theories on social justice and fairness rather than the inherent rights of individuals. Each of these thinkers contributed significantly to ethical and political philosophy, but Locke's specific emphasis on natural rights and individual property ownership makes him the correct answer in this context.