Simone Lawson
The phrase “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” is a well-known phrase from the United States Declaration of Independence, drafted by Thomas Jefferson and edited by the Committee of Five. It gives three examples of the unalienable rights that the Declaration says have been given to all humans by their Creator, and which governments are created to protect. The phrase has no legal standing in the US legal system, and happiness goes unmentioned in the highest law of the land. However, it has played a significant role in American legal history and has been referenced in some of the US Supreme Court's landmark decisions on marriage. The phrase has also been included in various state and national constitutions, including those of Virginia, Massachusetts, and Wisconsin.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| The meaning of "pursuit of happiness" | Practicing happiness, the experience of happiness, not just chasing it |
| The phrase "pursuit of happiness" in the Declaration of Independence | Refers to three examples of unalienable rights that have been given to all humans by their Creator, which governments are created to protect |
| The author of the phrase | Thomas Jefferson |
| The phrase in the Declaration of Independence | Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness |
| The date of the Declaration of Independence | July 4, 1776 |
| The phrase in the Virginia Declaration of Rights | The enjoyment of life and liberty, pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety |
| The number of times the term "happiness" appears in the Massachusetts state constitution | 8 |
| The year Wisconsin's constitution was adopted | 1848 |
| The number of countries that have included similar wording in their constitutions | 20 |
| The number of constitutions that include the concept of "well-being" | 110 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The pursuit of happiness is not in the US Constitution
The phrase "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" is often associated with the United States Declaration of Independence. The Declaration, drafted by Thomas Jefferson and edited by the Committee of Five, asserts that all men are "endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights," including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This phrase has become a foundational element of American democracy and a widely referenced ideal.
However, it is important to note that the phrase "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" is not explicitly mentioned in the US Constitution. While the Constitution does explicitly protect life and liberty, happiness, or the pursuit thereof, is notably absent from the text of the nation's highest law. This distinction is significant because it underscores the difference between the Declaration of Independence as a statement of ideals and the Constitution as the legally binding framework for the country.
The omission of "the pursuit of happiness" from the US Constitution does not diminish its importance in American legal history and consciousness. The concept has been referenced in various state constitutions, such as those of Virginia, Massachusetts, and Wisconsin. Additionally, it has been cited in landmark Supreme Court decisions, particularly those pertaining to marriage and the freedom to pursue happiness through occupational and intellectual endeavours.
The interpretation of "the pursuit of happiness" has evolved over time. While the founding fathers were influenced by classical Greek and Roman moral philosophers, they understood the pursuit of happiness as a quest for being good rather than merely feeling good. This interpretation aligns with the idea of pursuing lifelong virtue instead of short-term pleasure. However, in modern times, there is a growing shift in the understanding of "happiness" towards "well-being," reflecting a change in how audiences interpret this concept.
In conclusion, while the pursuit of happiness is not explicitly mentioned in the US Constitution, it holds a significant place in the nation's history and legal consciousness. Its inclusion in the Declaration of Independence and various state constitutions, as well as its influence on landmark court decisions, underscores its enduring relevance in shaping American ideals and values.
Key Topics in the Constitution: What Got the Spotlight?
You may want to see also
The pursuit of happiness is in the Declaration of Independence
The phrase “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” is a well-known phrase from the United States Declaration of Independence. The phrase gives three examples of the unalienable rights which the Declaration says have been given to all humans by their Creator, and which governments are created to protect. The Declaration of Independence, drafted by Thomas Jefferson, identifies "the pursuit of happiness" as one of our unalienable rights, along with life and liberty.
The meaning of "the pursuit of happiness" has been a topic of debate, with some arguing that it refers to seeking or chasing happiness, while others suggest it means actually practising or experiencing happiness. Brent Strawn, who teaches religion and theology, argues that our contemporary understanding of "the pursuit of happiness" is a thinner and less meaningful version of what the Declaration's authors intended. Strawn suggests that the American Dream, often associated with the pursuit of happiness, may not be a sufficient definition of true happiness.
The phrase "life, liberty, and estate" was coined by John Locke in 1689, who argued that political society existed for the sake of protecting "property". Some historians have theorised that Jefferson replaced "estate" with "the pursuit of happiness" in the Declaration of Independence. However, the idea of "the pursuit of happiness" is not original to Jefferson, as similar concepts can be found in the works of other philosophers, such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, and William Wollaston.
The pursuit of happiness has been referenced in various state and national constitutions, as well as in some of the United States Supreme Court's landmark decisions, demonstrating its importance in American legal history and its increasing significance internationally. While the Declaration of Independence is not legally binding, the inclusion of "the pursuit of happiness" as an unalienable right has had a profound influence on the foundation of American democracy and the understanding of human rights.
Constitution of 1789: How Did It Shape the US?
You may want to see also
The pursuit of happiness is in state constitutions
The phrase "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" is a well-known phrase from the United States Declaration of Independence. The phrase gives three examples of the unalienable rights that the Declaration says have been given to all humans by their Creator, and which governments are created to protect. While the Declaration of Independence recognises these rights, the US Constitution explicitly protects only life and liberty, with happiness going unmentioned in the highest law of the land.
However, the pursuit of happiness has played an important role in American legal history, and protections of the pursuit of happiness have been written into various state constitutions. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts included the term happiness in its state constitution eight times, notably protecting the unalienable rights of the people in "seeking and obtaining their happiness and safety". Wisconsin's constitution, adopted in 1848, also assures its people of the inherent rights of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness".
The pursuit of happiness has also been central to landmark decisions of the United States' Supreme Court on marriage. For example, in Loving v. Virginia, the Supreme Court found a ban on interracial marriages to be unconstitutional, with Chief Justice Warren stating that the right to freedom of marriage was "essential to the orderly pursuit of happiness by free men".
The concept of happiness or well-being is also part of multiple regional and international human rights declarations. By 2022, 20 constitutions included the concept of "happiness", and 110 constitutions included the concept of "well-being" as a constitutional objective.
Constitution Party: Liberal vs. Conservative Views
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The pursuit of happiness is in international human rights declarations
The phrase "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" is a well-known phrase from the United States Declaration of Independence. The phrase gives three examples of the unalienable rights which the Declaration says have been given to all humans by their Creator, and which governments are created to protect. The United States Declaration of Independence was drafted by Thomas Jefferson, and then edited by the Committee of Five, which consisted of Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston. It was then further edited and adopted by the Committee of the Whole of the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776.
The phrase "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" is also present in other international human rights declarations. For example, a similar phrase can be found in the Canadian Charter of Rights: "life, liberty, security of the person" (this line was also in the older Canadian Bill of Rights, which added "enjoyment of property" to the list). The phrase can also be found in Chapter III, Article 13 of the 1947 Constitution of Japan, Chapter II, Article 10 of the 1987 Constitution of South Korea, and in President Ho Chi Minh's 1945 declaration of independence of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.
The inclusion of "the pursuit of happiness" in these declarations reflects the idea that the pursuit of happiness is a fundamental human right and a basic human right that should be protected by governments. This concept is further emphasized by the establishment of the International Day of Happiness by the UN, which aims to raise awareness that overall well-being is fundamental for people around the world.
While the interpretation of "the pursuit of happiness" has evolved over time, it is clear that this phrase has had a significant influence on the foundation of democracy and the understanding of human rights internationally.
Utah's Founding Fathers: Constitution Writers Elected
You may want to see also
The pursuit of happiness is in other countries' constitutions
The "pursuit of happiness" is a well-known phrase from the United States Declaration of Independence. While the phrase is not mentioned in the US Constitution, it has been included in the constitutions of several other countries.
One example is the 1791 constitution of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, which included the right to the pursuit of happiness. Similarly, the 1793 French Constitution also recognised this right. In Asia, the concept is reflected in Chapter III, Article 13 of the 1947 Constitution of Japan, which has influenced other constitutions in the region, such as South Korea's. For instance, South Korea's 1987 constitution was revised in 1980 to include the right to the pursuit of happiness, modelled after Japan's constitution.
In South America, Ecuador's constitution articulates "Buen Vivir" as a series of rights, while Bolivia's constitution takes a more interpretive approach, outlining the "search for a good life" in the ethical and moral principles of the state. These approaches to well-being may serve as models for other countries looking to integrate similar rights into their constitutions.
The inclusion of the pursuit of happiness in these constitutions demonstrates a recognition of the importance of well-being and happiness in the lives of citizens, and in some cases, has influenced public policy and legal interpretations.
The Oval Office: White House's Iconic Nerve Center
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The pursuit of happiness is not explicitly mentioned in the US Constitution.
The phrase "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" comes from the United States Declaration of Independence, drafted by Thomas Jefferson.
The interpretation of the phrase has evolved over time. Today, it is commonly understood as seeking or chasing happiness. However, according to some scholars, the founding fathers intended it to mean actually obtaining and experiencing happiness, not just chasing it.
The inclusion of the phrase in the Declaration of Independence was likely influenced by the works of philosophers such as John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, and Jean-Jacques Burlamaqui.
Yes, the concept of "happiness" or "well-being" has been included in the constitutions of several countries, including Japan, South Korea, and Vietnam. Additionally, some US states, such as Virginia, Massachusetts, and Wisconsin, have explicitly included the pursuit of happiness in their state constitutions.
