2007-02-17 00:48:05 · 4 answers · asked by Dr Yahoo 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Government
The Persuit of Happiness was a referral of the time to the persuit of men to own and till their own land. To own property.
2007-02-17 01:09:12 · answer #1 · answered by sjsosullivan 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Declaration of Independence. "Endowed by their creator with certain ... rights among them Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness"
Circumstance was Laying down the foundations for a new Nation.
Or as many people in America don't believe in a creator or that we have the right to life from the moment of creation then perhaps he was merely putting ideology on paper to justify an unlawful rebellion against the lawful ruler!
2007-02-17 09:08:00 · answer #2 · answered by pretender59321 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
While Jefferson says he did not directly take this quote from Locke, Locke in his Two Treatise on Civil Government (I don't have the reference in front of me) uses the term "Life, Liberty, and Property". However, Locke did not exclusively define propertyas the phsyical entity enjoyed upon which you live, rather it was those things which you pursue and own.
The term pursuit of happiness is a clear statement of Locke's meaning.
Though, as I said, Jefferson claims he did not take his idea's directly from Locke.
2007-02-17 11:50:01 · answer #3 · answered by PoliticalPhilosopher 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Read the Preamble of The Constitution Of The United States
2007-02-17 08:52:09 · answer #4 · answered by Zapatta McFrench 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋