The Brian Lehrer Show 'We Hold These Truths...'
16 snips
Nov 21, 2025 
Walter Isaacson, a notable historian and author, explores the profound impact of a key sentence in the Declaration of Independence as the U.S. nears its 250th anniversary. He discusses the significance of 'We' in the context of social contract theory and how it reflects the government's authority derived from the people. Delving into the aspirational nature of Jefferson's words, he addresses historical exclusions and the evolution of concepts like 'pursuit of happiness.' Isaacson encourages a renewed commitment to equality, urging listeners to engage in calmer debates about opportunity.
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Founders' Radical 'We'
- The Declaration's opening "we" signals a new social-contract nation where power comes from the people, not kings.
- Walter Isaacson says founders read Locke and Rousseau and intentionally began a new form of government.
Equality As An Ongoing Project
- "All men are created equal" was aspirational, not descriptive, and many founders accepted that gap.
- Isaacson stresses expansion of rights required activism, citing Gettysburg as a push to make the sentence truer.
Aim For Generational Fulfillment
- Treat "pursuit of happiness" as generational fulfillment, not momentary pleasure.
- Isaacson warns preserving mobility requires policies that let each generation do better than the last.
