We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

Thomas Jefferson

The Pursuit of Happiness

Topic: Joy & Happiness

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson, born on April 13, 1743, in Shadwell, Colony of Virginia, British America, emerged as a significant figure in the early political landscape of the United States. His intellectual pursuits and commitment to the Enlightenment ideals of democracy, republicanism, and individual rights significantly influenced the nation's trajectory towards independence from Great Britain. As the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson articulated a vision of individual freedoms and egalitarian principles that aimed to serve as the bedrock of the new republic. His political career further evolved as he took on the role of the second vice president of the United States under John Adams from 1797 to 1801, marking his deepening involvement in the nation's governance.

Ascending to the presidency in 1801, Jefferson's tenure as the third president of the United States till 1809 was marked by efforts to establish a government of restraint, aimed at safeguarding the liberties enshrined in the founding documents. During his presidency, the Louisiana Purchase was accomplished, significantly expanding the nation's territory. Yet, his presidency also saw controversies, including the Embargo Act which proved unpopular. Jefferson's philosophical underpinnings, deeply influenced by Epicurean, Stoic and Enlightenment thought, often informed his political decisions and the articulation of a vision for the republic that prioritized individual liberty and a restrained government.

Passing away on July 4, 1826, in Charlottesville, Virginia, U.S., at the age of 83, Jefferson's legacy continues to be a subject of discussion and analysis. His resting place at Monticello, Charlottesville, Virginia, serves as a reminder of his contributions to the formative stages of the United States. Jefferson's life reflects a complex interplay of intellectual vigor, political acumen, and a deep-seated belief in certain philosophical principles. His writings, particularly the Declaration of Independence, continue to serve as fundamental texts underscoring the values upon which the nation was founded, and his presidency marked significant events in the early history of the United States. His influence endures, shaping discussions on individual rights, government's role, and the philosophical underpinnings of the nation's core beliefs.

(1743-1826) American Civil Religion
The Declaration of Independence

Jefferson, Thomas. Declaration of Independence: A Transcription [National Archives, America's Founding Documents (https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript).

Thomas Jefferson

Theme: Happiness and Well-being

About Thomas Jefferson’s Contributions to the Declaration of Independence [Commentary]

Thomas Jefferson’s words in the Declaration of Independence, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness,” reflect a deep-rooted belief in the intrinsic rights of individuals. The phrase “pursuit of Happiness” notably stands out, emanating from Jefferson’s appreciation for Epicurean philosophy. The Epicurean notion of happiness was not a fleeting or superficial joy, but a state of contentment and peace derived from rational living, modest desires, and meaningful relationships.

In incorporating “the pursuit of Happiness” as an unalienable right, Jefferson broadened the scope of human rights beyond mere survival or material possession, which was signified by John Locke’s term “property.” He elevated the discourse to a more profound understanding of human fulfillment and well-being. This inclusion signifies a societal framework where individuals are free to seek a life of virtue, contentment, and meaningful connections, which are core tenets of Epicurean thought. It’s a call towards creating conditions that allow individuals to pursue a rational and virtuous life, which according to Epicurean philosophy, leads to true happiness.

The phrase “pursuit of Happiness” encapsulates a visionary outlook that goes beyond the transient and nudges towards a life of thoughtful reflection, modest aspirations, and a nurturing of human relationships. It’s an invitation to individuals to explore a deeper, more intrinsic form of happiness, rooted in virtue and rational understanding of life’s desires and necessities. In doing so, Jefferson laid down a philosophical foundation that continues to resonate with the aspirations of individuals and societies to strive―not just for material success―but for a more profound sense of fulfillment and happiness.

I Am an Epicurian

In his letter to his former private secretary William Short, Jefferson bluntly states “I am an Epicurian.” What follows is an amazingly sophisticated analysis, and a lament, on how profoundly Epicurus was misunderstood by Greek and Roman philosophers and as a result, the contemporary world.

“I too am an Epicurian. I consider the genuine (not the imputed) doctrines of Epicurus as containing everything rational in moral philosophy which Greece and Rome have left us.”

—Jefferson, Thomas. “Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello.” Monticello.org, Thomas Jefferson Foundation, www.monticello.org/site/research-and-collections/william-short. Thomas Jefferson, Letter to William Short.

Epicurus and Epicurianism

Meanwhile, John Locke (1632–1704) adapted Gassendi’s modified version of Epicurus’s epistemology, which became highly influential on English empiricism. Many thinkers with sympathies towards the Enlightenment endorsed Epicureanism as an admirable moral philosophy. Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826), one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, declared in 1819, “I too am an Epicurean. I consider the genuine (not imputed) doctrines of Epicurus as containing everything rational in moral philosophy which Greece and Rome have left us.”

—Jones, Howard (2010), “Epicurus and Epicureanism”, in Grafton, Anthony; Most, Glenn W.; Settis, Salvatore (eds.), The Classical Tradition, Cambridge, Massachusetts and London, England: The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, pp. 320–324 [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epicurus#cite_note-FOOTNOTEJones2010323-144]

Thomas Jefferson’s Syllabus of the Doctrines of Epicurus [Excerpt]

“I will place under this a syllabus of the doctrines of Epicurus, somewhat in the lapidary style, which I wrote some twenty years ago; a like one of the philosophy of Jesus, of nearly the same age, is too long to be copied. Vale, et tibi persuade carissimum te esse mihi.”

—Thomas Jefferson’s Letter to William Short

Jefferson’s [partial] Syllabus of the Doctrines of Epicurus:

Happiness is the aim of life.
Virtue the foundation of happiness.
Utility the test of virtue.
Pleasure active and In-do-lent.
In-do-lence [a-tarax-ia] is the absence of pain, the true felicity.
Active, consists in agreeable motion; it is not happiness, but the means to produce it.
Thus the absence of hunger is an article of felicity; eating the means to obtain it.
The summum bonum is to be not pained in body, nor troubled in mind.
i.e. In-do-lence of body, tranquillity of mind.
To procure tranquillity of mind we must avoid desire and fear, the two principal diseases of the mind.
Man is a free agent.
Virtue consists in 1. Prudence 2. Temperance 3. Fortitude 4. Justice.
To which are opposed, 1. Folly 2. Desire 3. Fear 4. Deceit

Resources

Thomas Jefferson

The Pursuit of Happiness

Topic: Joy & Happiness

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

Thomas Jefferson

(1743-1826) American Civil Religion
The Declaration of Independence

Jefferson, Thomas. Declaration of Independence: A Transcription [National Archives, America's Founding Documents (https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript).

Thomas Jefferson

Theme: Happiness and Well-being

About Thomas Jefferson’s Contributions to the Declaration of Independence [Commentary]

Thomas Jefferson’s words in the Declaration of Independence, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness,” reflect a deep-rooted belief in the intrinsic rights of individuals. The phrase “pursuit of Happiness” notably stands out, emanating from Jefferson’s appreciation for Epicurean philosophy. The Epicurean notion of happiness was not a fleeting or superficial joy, but a state of contentment and peace derived from rational living, modest desires, and meaningful relationships.

In incorporating “the pursuit of Happiness” as an unalienable right, Jefferson broadened the scope of human rights beyond mere survival or material possession, which was signified by John Locke’s term “property.” He elevated the discourse to a more profound understanding of human fulfillment and well-being. This inclusion signifies a societal framework where individuals are free to seek a life of virtue, contentment, and meaningful connections, which are core tenets of Epicurean thought. It’s a call towards creating conditions that allow individuals to pursue a rational and virtuous life, which according to Epicurean philosophy, leads to true happiness.

The phrase “pursuit of Happiness” encapsulates a visionary outlook that goes beyond the transient and nudges towards a life of thoughtful reflection, modest aspirations, and a nurturing of human relationships. It’s an invitation to individuals to explore a deeper, more intrinsic form of happiness, rooted in virtue and rational understanding of life’s desires and necessities. In doing so, Jefferson laid down a philosophical foundation that continues to resonate with the aspirations of individuals and societies to strive―not just for material success―but for a more profound sense of fulfillment and happiness.

I Am an Epicurian

In his letter to his former private secretary William Short, Jefferson bluntly states “I am an Epicurian.” What follows is an amazingly sophisticated analysis, and a lament, on how profoundly Epicurus was misunderstood by Greek and Roman philosophers and as a result, the contemporary world.

“I too am an Epicurian. I consider the genuine (not the imputed) doctrines of Epicurus as containing everything rational in moral philosophy which Greece and Rome have left us.”

—Jefferson, Thomas. “Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello.” Monticello.org, Thomas Jefferson Foundation, www.monticello.org/site/research-and-collections/william-short. Thomas Jefferson, Letter to William Short.

Epicurus and Epicurianism

Meanwhile, John Locke (1632–1704) adapted Gassendi’s modified version of Epicurus’s epistemology, which became highly influential on English empiricism. Many thinkers with sympathies towards the Enlightenment endorsed Epicureanism as an admirable moral philosophy. Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826), one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, declared in 1819, “I too am an Epicurean. I consider the genuine (not imputed) doctrines of Epicurus as containing everything rational in moral philosophy which Greece and Rome have left us.”

—Jones, Howard (2010), “Epicurus and Epicureanism”, in Grafton, Anthony; Most, Glenn W.; Settis, Salvatore (eds.), The Classical Tradition, Cambridge, Massachusetts and London, England: The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, pp. 320–324 [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epicurus#cite_note-FOOTNOTEJones2010323-144]

Thomas Jefferson’s Syllabus of the Doctrines of Epicurus [Excerpt]

“I will place under this a syllabus of the doctrines of Epicurus, somewhat in the lapidary style, which I wrote some twenty years ago; a like one of the philosophy of Jesus, of nearly the same age, is too long to be copied. Vale, et tibi persuade carissimum te esse mihi.”

—Thomas Jefferson’s Letter to William Short

Jefferson’s [partial] Syllabus of the Doctrines of Epicurus:

Happiness is the aim of life.
Virtue the foundation of happiness.
Utility the test of virtue.
Pleasure active and In-do-lent.
In-do-lence [a-tarax-ia] is the absence of pain, the true felicity.
Active, consists in agreeable motion; it is not happiness, but the means to produce it.
Thus the absence of hunger is an article of felicity; eating the means to obtain it.
The summum bonum is to be not pained in body, nor troubled in mind.
i.e. In-do-lence of body, tranquillity of mind.
To procure tranquillity of mind we must avoid desire and fear, the two principal diseases of the mind.
Man is a free agent.
Virtue consists in 1. Prudence 2. Temperance 3. Fortitude 4. Justice.
To which are opposed, 1. Folly 2. Desire 3. Fear 4. Deceit

The Pursuit of Happiness

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The Pursuit of Happiness

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