The American Pursuit Of Happiness
The pursuit of happiness, a right to be granted to all American citizens as
according to the Declaration of Independence, sounds as though it is a
clear cut right of these very citizens. Still, there is controversy
surrounding the idea of happiness. The very definition of this concept is
vague and inconclusive as to how it can be achieved. Two hundred and
twenty three years after the Declaration of Independence was signed,
Americans are still searching for the key to ultimate happiness. Many
people have gone to great lengths to find the answer, while others live
their day to day lives simply hoping for a small piece. The views and
opinions on happiness are so vast, as perhaps they ...
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rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their
just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of
Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People
to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its
foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to
them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.” The
Rights of the American public are exactly what Thomas Jefferson had in mind
in 1776 when he replaced John Locke’s definition of rights in the
Declaration of Independence from “Life, Liberty and Property”, to “Life,
Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness”. The good of the public took place
over private material gains according to Mr. Jefferson.
Material gains seems to have taken a far greater place in society today
than Mr. Jefferson would most likely care to believe. There is an old
Jewish proverb which states “be careful what you wish for, you may just ...
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The ability to realize that
which is intrinsic, good in of itself, can help to achieve a state of mind
which leaves a person with a long lasting sense of contentment.
Contentment, is the core definition of happiness.
Webster’s dictionary describes happiness as “1. obs: good fortune:
prosperity: 2a: a state of well being and contentment: joy b: a pleasurable
or satisfying experience. 3: felicity, aptness”. This very state of well
being should be one of the core values in American society. Americans
should not be defining themselves by what they have, rather by who they are
and who they are striving to be. Success should not be defined by a job
title, rather by the small personal ...
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The American Pursuit Of Happiness. (2007, September 25). Retrieved November 23, 2024, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-American-Pursuit-Of-Happiness/71709
"The American Pursuit Of Happiness." Essayworld.com. Essayworld.com, 25 Sep. 2007. Web. 23 Nov. 2024. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-American-Pursuit-Of-Happiness/71709>
"The American Pursuit Of Happiness." Essayworld.com. September 25, 2007. Accessed November 23, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-American-Pursuit-Of-Happiness/71709.
"The American Pursuit Of Happiness." Essayworld.com. September 25, 2007. Accessed November 23, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-American-Pursuit-Of-Happiness/71709.
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