The Preamble The Virtues Behind the American Constitution with Jeffrey Rosen
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May 19, 2025 
In a thought-provoking discussion, Jeffrey Rosen, President and CEO of the National Constitution Center, delves into the Founders' interpretation of happiness through the lens of virtue. He analyzes the moral philosophies of key figures like Ben Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, revealing their complex legacies. The conversation explores the necessity of electing virtuous leaders and the enduring significance of civic virtue in democracy. Rosen also emphasizes the transformational power of education and self-improvement as essential components of a thriving society.
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Happiness Means Virtue and Self-Mastery
- The Founders saw happiness not as pleasure but as virtue and self-mastery.
- They emphasized reason over emotion to achieve calm tranquility and moral excellence.
Jefferson's Slavery Hypocrisy Revealed
- Jefferson acknowledged slavery's immorality and his own hypocrisy.
- This admission makes his failure to end slavery starker, highlighting the complexity of the founders.
Education Empowers Freedom and Justice
- Moral philosophy offered a path out of oppression for figures like Frederick Douglass.
- Education and classical teachings inspired many to pursue freedom and justice.
