163: Jeffrey Rosen: The Pursuit of Happiness
No Small Endeavor with Lee C. Camp
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The Pursuit of Happiness and Virtue in Classical Literature
The chapter delves into the meaning of happiness and freedom through classical writings on virtue, emphasizing the transformative power of literature. It explores how historical figures like Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln were influenced by the Colombian Orator and discusses the pursuit of happiness in the context of virtue and moral perfection. The conversation includes insights on moral self-improvement from figures like Pythagoras and Benjamin Franklin, connecting their quest for moral perfection to the founding generation's ideals of personal and political self-government.
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