American history Quote by Slavoj Žižek
““The “pursuit of happiness” is such a key element of the “American (ideological) dream” that one tends to forget the contingent origin of this phrase: “We holds 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.” Where did the somewhat awkward “pursuit of happiness” come from in this famous opening passage of the US Declaration of Independence? The origin of it is John Locke, who claimed that all men had the natural rights of life, liberty, and property— the latter was replaced by “the pursuit of happiness” during negotiations of the drafting of the Declaration, as a way to negate the black slaves’ right to property.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Pursuit of Happiness” analysis, 2015
The phrase “pursuit of happiness” in the US Declaration derives from Locke’s natural rights, altered to avoid endorsing slavery.
In simple terms: Locke’s idea changed to fit US ideals.
Key Takeaway
Recognize historical roots of political language.
Themes
politics
history
philosophy
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
historical analysis
political commentary
When to use this quote
- constitutional debates
- human rights education
Key Concepts
natural rights
American founding
slavery discourse
Questions to Reflect On
- How does this origin affect modern views on happiness?
- What implications does this have for current rights discussions?
A Different Perspective
The phrase’s meaning has evolved, complicating its original intent.
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