The Declaration of Independence proclaims that all men are “endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” and that the purpose of a government is to ensure these rights (Jefferson 236). Its author, Thomas Jefferson, would alter the course of political history with that phrase, but it has still caused much debate today. The meaning of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” is somewhat ambiguous and has been adapted with different meanings throughout American history.
A profound influence on Jefferson’s writings was the work of John Locke, a British philosopher, particularly known for his Second Treatise. In it, Locke stated that by natural law, all men are entitled to life, liberty, and the right to own property. One definition of …show more content…
One definition of the word “pursuit” is “the act of chasing,” but that does not ensure the target in mind will be caught (American Heritage College Dictionary 1132). However, others argue, including Professor Brent Strewn of Emerson University and historian Arthur Schlesinger, that the “pursuit of happiness” is rather “the experience of happiness” (Strewn, par. 8). Furthermore, Virginia’s Declaration of Rights, authored by George Mason, complicates Jefferson’s meaning by adding to the “pursuit of Happiness” the “obtaining” of happiness (Mason). However, Jefferson was also influenced by Voltaire, a French philosopher, and his novella, Candide, which disproves Gottfried Leibnitz’s theory that the world is the “best of all possible worlds” through the satirical adventure of an optimist (Voltaire, ch. 1). To contest guaranteed happiness, Voltaire stated that not everything that happens is for the good of mankind. Knowing that not every man can be happy, Jefferson could only guarantee the right to seek out
A profound influence on Jefferson’s writings was the work of John Locke, a British philosopher, particularly known for his Second Treatise. In it, Locke stated that by natural law, all men are entitled to life, liberty, and the right to own property. One definition of …show more content…
One definition of the word “pursuit” is “the act of chasing,” but that does not ensure the target in mind will be caught (American Heritage College Dictionary 1132). However, others argue, including Professor Brent Strewn of Emerson University and historian Arthur Schlesinger, that the “pursuit of happiness” is rather “the experience of happiness” (Strewn, par. 8). Furthermore, Virginia’s Declaration of Rights, authored by George Mason, complicates Jefferson’s meaning by adding to the “pursuit of Happiness” the “obtaining” of happiness (Mason). However, Jefferson was also influenced by Voltaire, a French philosopher, and his novella, Candide, which disproves Gottfried Leibnitz’s theory that the world is the “best of all possible worlds” through the satirical adventure of an optimist (Voltaire, ch. 1). To contest guaranteed happiness, Voltaire stated that not everything that happens is for the good of mankind. Knowing that not every man can be happy, Jefferson could only guarantee the right to seek out