quote:
I agree with Jefferson.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

I can't believe it took this long for someone to finally post the correct answer.

This is satisfactory as an answer if you understand what Jefferson means by happiness.

For one, he appears to be riffing on John Locke's: “life, liberty and estate (property).”

Secondly, Jefferson, like many of the Founding Fathers, was heavily influenced by Greek philosophy, by Aristotle and Epicurus, in particular.

So, if you google, "what is happiness as a motive to human affairs according to thomas jefferson", the generated answer, supported by a number of sources is:

quote:
According to Thomas Jefferson, happiness as a motive in human affairs is not a state of fleeting pleasure, ease, or selfish indulgence, but rather eudaemonia—a profound, lifelong pursuit of virtue, moral purpose, and human flourishing. Drawing from classical Greek philosophy, Epicureanism, and the Enlightenment, Jefferson viewed this pursuit as an active, disciplined commitment to personal improvement and service to the common good.

Here is a breakdown of happiness as a motive in human affairs according to Jefferson:
1. The Core Definition: Eudaemonia and Virtue
Virtue as Foundation: Jefferson believed that virtue was the foundation of true happiness. He famously wrote that "without virtue, happiness cannot be".
Active Pursuit: It is not a passive state to be achieved, but a continuous,, active pursuit.
Not Materialistic: Jeffersonian happiness is distinct from the pursuit of wealth or "worldly possessions". It was defined by "tranquility and occupation" (meaning purposeful activity) rather than "wealth or splendor".

2. Happiness as a Human Motivation
A "Soul Condition": It is a state of the soul that arises from living in harmony with conscience, reason, and moral purpose.
Service and Employment: Jefferson felt that a mind always employed is always happy, suggesting that purposeful work is a primary driver of happiness.
Individual and Collective Good: The pursuit of happiness includes contributing to the greater good, not just personal satisfaction.

3. Happiness and Government
Purpose of Government: Jefferson maintained that the "only orthodox object of the institution of government is to secure the greatest degree of happiness possible to the general mass of those associated under it".
Protection, Not Provision: The government's role is not to provide happiness (as it is not owed to anyone), but to protect the freedom in which citizens can pursue it.
"Rights" to Pursuit: He deemed the "pursuit of happiness" an inalienable right, implying that individuals must be free from oppression (a "disruption of energies") to pursue their own thriving.

4. Philosophical Influences
Epicureanism: In his later life, Jefferson identified as an Epicurean, which in his view meant a rational, gentle philosophy focusing on friendship, limiting desires to necessities, and achieving peace of mind.
Stoicism/Ancient Philosophy: He was heavily influenced by Cicero and other classical thinkers who emphasized that happiness is a result of a good conscience and self-discipline.

In summary, for Jefferson, happiness is the ultimate human endeavor that drives individuals to develop their talents, act with integrity, and contribute to the community, while the government's role is to ensure the liberty to do so.

If you google "what is happiness as a motive to human affairs according to Aristotle", the answer will be very similar.

In short, there was a very strong, ethical and moral dimension that informed Jefferson's interesting deviation in word choice away from Locke's assertion. Understanding this notion of happiness, it is clear that there is a dutiful component to it-- a responsibility as to how we conduct our affairs and how we treat one another... and that the harmony that arises from this way of life generates true happiness. Happiness, to Jefferson, is not just selfishly engaging in pleasurable activity.