I am writing a paper relating John Locke's philosophy to early American government. Does anybody know why the phrase "property" in Two Treatises of Gov't was changed to "pursuit of happiness" in the "Declaration of Independece?"
2007-03-26 14:50:28 · 3 answers · asked by jag82177 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
By "property," Locke meant more than land and goods that could be sold, given away, or even confiscated by the government under certain circumstances. Property also referred to ownership of one's self, which included a right to personal well being. Jefferson, however, substituted the phrase, "pursuit of happiness," which Locke and others had used to describe freedom of opportunity as well as the duty to help those in want.
http://www.crf-usa.org/Foundation_docs/Foundation_lesson_declaration.htm
2007-03-26 14:58:31 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Property and the Pursuit of Happiness are essentially the same thing. Pursuit of Happiness became more frequently used and relevant because it is more general than property. It encompasses other freedoms, such as speech, religion, press, etc.
2007-03-26 21:57:58 · answer #2 · answered by charlesismist 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
nothing makes us happy like it used to
2007-03-26 21:57:34 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋