Thomas Jefferson wrote, "Life liberty and the persuit of property," Why was it changed to Life, Liberty, and the persuit of happiness!?Www@QuestionHome@Com
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Position:Home>History> Why was Thomas Jeffersons phrase. "Life, liberty, and the persuit of properQuestion: Why was Thomas Jeffersons phrase!. "Life, liberty, and the persuit of property" Changed to Happiness!? Thomas Jefferson wrote, "Life liberty and the persuit of property," Why was it changed to Life, Liberty, and the persuit of happiness!?Www@QuestionHome@Com
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: First, to clarify, Locke's three-fold expression was simply "life, liberty and property"!. But the "change" to "pursuit of happiness" was NOT something Jefferson himself dreamed up!. Rather the idea also went back to Locke's discussion of rights -- and the WORDING in the Declaration of Independence was based on the way this was all expressed a month before that document by George Mason!. Part of the solution is to clarify what these terms MEANT to Locke and the founding fathers -- neither the mention of "property" nor of "happiness" means quite what WE tend to think!. 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/F!.!.!. Perhaps the easiest way to see this connection is to look at the very first paragraph of the "Virginia Declaration of Rights" written by George Mason in 1776, JUST BEFORE the Declaration of Independence!. Note how his list pulls together "property" and "pursuit of happiness" -- "That all men are by nature equally free and independent, and have certain inherent rights, of which, when they enter into a state of society, they cannot, by any compact, deprive or divest their posterity; namely, the enjoyment of life and liberty, with the means of acquiring and possessing property, and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety!." http://odur!.let!.rug!.nl/%7Eusa/D/1776-180!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com JOHN LOCKE wrote "Life, liberty, and the pursuit of property!." Thomas Jefferson, who wrote the Declaration of Independence used the term "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" to broaden the idea!. In the Declaration, it does not only refer to property, but much more!. There's a simple explanation at the site if you would like more information!. Hope that helps (:Www@QuestionHome@Com |