What did Thomas Jefferson mean by "the pursuit of happiness" when he penned it into the Declaration of Independence as an inalienable right? In a recent Wall Street Journal column
1, Darren McMahon explores this curious but carefully chosen phrase.
2
"The pursuit of happiness" peppered eighteenth century sermons. God delighted to see his creatures happy. There was far less brooding about original sin than in earlier times. As the not-so-pious Benjamin Franklin opined, "wine is living proof that god loves us and wants us to be happy."
Two years before the Declaration of Independence, the First Continental Congress had complained of the king's intrusions into colonists' "life, liberty and
property". Of course property could bring pleasure, but property was not what Jefferson said or meant by "happiness"
3. From Aristotle and Cicero, along with Locke and Newton, Jefferson learned "that happiness was the great goal of the well-lived life, achieved through discipline, self-sacrifice and reasoned moderation", writes Professor McMahon.
Paris Hilton take note: Jeffersonian happiness is founded not in momentary pleasure, but rather upon virtue. Virtue at its highest is working for the public good. Jefferson foresaw that independent Americans would discover their own happiness by pursuing the happiness of others. As Professor McMahon emphasizes, "no 18th century Founder, whether a Christian or classicist, or cultivator of simple pleasures would have disagreed."
Martin Seligman, the founder of positive psychology, was astonished to discover that among 200 cultures and traditions over the past 3000 years, there is virtual agreement as to the highest valued virtues:
- Wisdom and knowledge
- Courage
- Love and humanity
- Justice
- Temperance and self-restraint
- Transcendence and spirituality
That research further identified twenty-four positive character traits most closely associated with attainment of those six anchor virtues. At least twelve of these positive character traits involve pursuing the happiness of others.
- Curiosity
- Love of learning
- Judgment/critical thinking/open-mindedness
- Ingenuity, originality, practical intelligence, street smarts
- Social intelligence, personal intelligence, emotional intelligence
- Perspective
- Valor and bravery
- Perseverance, industry, diligence
- Integrity, genuineness, honesty
- Kindness and generosity
- Loving and allowing oneself to be loved
- Citizenship, teamwork, loyalty
- Fairness/equity
- Leadership
- Self-control
- Prudence, discretion, caution
- Humility/modesty
- Appreciation of beauty/excellence
- Gratitude
- Hope/optimism/future-mindedness
- Spirituality/sense of purpose/faith/religiousness
- Forgiveness and mercy
- Playfulness and humor
- Zest/passion/enthusiasm4
Seligman's positive psychology suggests the likeliest route to our own authentic happiness lies in pursuing the happiness of others.
5
Mr. Jefferson, meet Professor Seligman.
So long Paris Hilton.
—Gerald Le Van, July 2005
1 "A Right, From the Start" Wall Street Journal, July 1, 2005, W11. For WSJ online subscribers,
click here.
2 McMahon is a professor of history at Florida State University. His new book, "Happiness: A History" is due for publication in January 2006.
4 According to Professor Seligman, each of us excels in three to five of these positive character traits. His VIA Signature Strengths survey offers to measure these traits. It is available on his website:
www.authentichappiness.com Seligman's latest book is Authentic Happiness : Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize Your Potential for Lasting Fulfillment (Free Press 2004)
5 For more on Seligman's positive psychology,
click here.
