Pursuit of Happiness? Or Happiness itself?
Arthur M Schlesinger claims it is Happiness itself, not the pursuing of it. That is the meaning Jefferson intended in the Declaration of Independence.
Schlesinger looks to what other Founders said.
All of them said Happiness itself is the goal of the Constitution NOT the right to pursue Happiness.
Then Schlesinger looks at why Jefferson did not make that point more clear.
He looks at the old definition of pursuit --- that a "pursuit" is an occupation, like when a person is in the pursuit of medicine or in the pursuit of law.
Schlesinger speaks for a more modern liberal view. He says the goal is Happiness, not the pursuit of it. And he claims the Founders had that modern liberal view.
A conservative might say the constitution only guarantees a fair process not a goal.
Conservatives believe happiness is not a guarantee, that the Constitution guarantees the process to allow you to be able to pursue it.
But Schlesinger's article below amply cites a different view from the conservatives.
These are his proofs. Each link provides the source of these quotes:
James Otis in his "The Rights of the British Colonies Asserted and Proved (Boston 1764)" affirmed that the duty of government is "above all things to provide for the security, the quiet, and happy enjoyment of life, liberty, and property."
.
Josiah Quincy Jr, in his "Observations on the Act of Parliament Commonly Called the Boston Port-Bill (Boston 1774) avowed that the proper object of civil society is "greatest happiness of the greatest number."
.
James Wilson in his "Constitutions on the Nature and Extent of the Legislative Authority of the British Parliament (Philadelphia the 1774), wrote "the proper object of civil society is "the happiness of the society is the first law of every government."
.
John Adams in his "Thoughts on Government (Philadelpia 1776) wrote "the happiness of society is the end of government.
Source
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Compiled by Jim Moyer 11/6/2024, updated 11/7/2024, 11/8/2024
.
.
.
.
.
Sources:
James Otis
James Otis in his "The Rights of the British Colonies Asserted and Proved (Boston 1764)" affirmed that the duty of government is "above all things to provide for the security, the quiet, and happy enjoyment of life, liberty, and property." page 14 https://oll-resources.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/oll3/store/titles/2335/Otis_RightsBritishColonies1556.pdf
Who is James Otis?
The colonial merchants and the American revolution, 1763-1776 by Schlesinger, Arthur Meier, 1888-1965, Publication date
1763: Otis, Rights of British Colonies Asserted (Pamphlet) https://oll.libertyfund.org/pages/1763-otis-rights-of-british-colonies-asserted-pamphlet
John Adams
John Adams in his "Thoughts on Government (Philadelpia 1776) wrote "the happiness of society is the end of government. Page 4 of
Thoughts on government: applicable to the present state of the American colonies. In a letter from a gentleman to his friend by Adams, John, 1735-1826 Publication date 1776 Publisher Philadelphia : Printed by John Dunlap
Bio on John Adams
James Wilson
Source of Quote
James Wilson in his "Constitutions on the Nature and Extent of the Legislative Authority of the British Parliament (Philadelphia the 1774), wrote "the proper object of civil society is "the happiness of the society is the first law of every government."
Considerations on the nature and the extent of the legislative authority of the British Parliament. 1774 by Wilson, James Publication date 1774 https://archive.org/details/bim_eighteenth-century_considerations-on-the-na_wilson-james_1774/page/n5/mode/2up?q=%22law+of+every%22
.
Bio on James Wilson
.
.
.
Josiah Quincy Jr
Josiah Quincy Jr, in his "Observations on the Act of Parliament Commonly Called the Boston Port-Bill (Boston 1774) avowed that the proper object of civil society is "greatest happiness of the greatest number."
Observations on the act of Parliament commonly called the Boston port-bill : with thoughts on civil society and standing armies by Quincy, Josiah, 1744-1775 John Adams Library (Boston Public Library) BRL Adams, John, 1735-1826, former owner Publication date MDCCLXXIV [1774] Publisher Boston, N.E. ; London : Re-printed for Edward and Charles Dilly ...
Bio on Josiah Quincy Jr
.
.
.
Comments