The Meaning of the "Pursuit of Happiness"

Written By: Richard A. Huenefeld  |  Posted: Wednesday, October 27th, 2010

From "The Unalienable Right of Property: Its Foundation, Erosion and Restoration"

The Declaration of Independence affirms that people are endowed with unalienable rights, including "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." The language is distinguishable from the "life, liberty and property" wording usually attributed to John Locke. An examination of appropriate documents reveals a deliberate purpose for the specific wording of the Declaration. The intent was to select language which would not be considered redundant because the Lockean use of the word property included liberty. Also, the intent was to avoid standardizing eighteenth-century practices or concepts of property law, such as slavery. The intent was to select language which referred to a person's general rights which include property, contract and other economic liberties consistent with the eternal laws of justice found in the laws of nature and of nature's God.

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