The Meaning of Happiness in the Declaration of Independence

"Happiness" is mentioned twice in the opening lines of the Declaration of Independence, but what does it mean? In this episode, Prof. Darrin McMahon, best-selling author of _Happiness: A History_, outlines the history of happiness and its various meanings. Topics include: -the history of the word in English and other languages -happiness in the classical Greek and Roman philosophical traditions -happiness in the Judeo-Christian and Buddhist traditions -Enlightenment concepts of human happiness from thinkers like John Locke, Jeremy Bentham, William Blackstone, and Isaac Newton -the opposition between happiness and suffering in the Declaration -happiness in the Epicurean and Stoic traditions -Jefferson's understanding of happiness and the views of other Founders -enslaved, indigenous, and enslaved perspectives on happiness Prof. McMahon's books can be found here: [Happiness: A History](https://www.amazon.com/Happiness-History-Darrin-M-McMahon/dp/0802142893) [Equality: The History of an Elusive Idea](https://www.amazon.de/Equality-History-Darrin-M-McMahon/dp/0465093930) [Divine Fury: A History of Genius](https://www.amazon.de/Divine-Fury-Darrin-M-McMahon/dp/0465003257)