

163: Jeffrey Rosen: The Pursuit of Happiness
Jul 4, 2024
Jeffrey Rosen, President of the National Constitution Center, discusses the founders' view on self-government, the pursuit of happiness, and the importance of virtue for democracy. He explores stoicism, deep reading, and historical figures' advice on self-improvement.
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Classical Happiness
- Classical philosophers defined happiness as being good, not feeling good.
- This meant pursuing virtue and self-improvement, not pleasure.
Founders' Happiness
- The Founders, particularly Jefferson, embodied this classical view of happiness.
- "Pursuit of Happiness" meant pursuing virtue, not property acquisition.
Franklin's Virtue Pursuit
- Benjamin Franklin created a system for pursuing moral perfection.
- He tracked 13 virtues weekly, marking Xs for shortcomings.