The Pursuit of Happiness

M

martin

Well-known member
When Jefferson enshrined "the pursuit of happiness" in the Declaration he had more in mind than people then probably realized although the "pursuit" was much discussed and written about in Jefferson's circle and had long been a subject in philosophical texts. Cicero's answer of virtue was a widely agreed upon goal of the pursuit, the question then becoming - what is virtue? Benjamin Franklin made a list of 13 topics for discussion:

1. Temperance
2. Silence
3. Order
4. Resolution.
5. Frugality.
6. Industry.
7. Sincerity.
8. Justice.
9. Moderation.
10. Cleanliness.
11. Tranquility.
12. Chastity.
13. Humility (for Franklin maybe the most challenging of all)

Have no idea where to go with this so won't try. I thought the topic and Franklin's list might be interesting.
 
martin said:
When Jefferson enshrined "the pursuit of happiness" in the Declaration he had more in mind than people then probably realized although the "pursuit" was much discussed and written about in Jefferson's circle and had long been a subject in philosophical texts. Cicero's answer of virtue was a widely agreed upon goal of the pursuit, the question then becoming - what is virtue? Benjamin Franklin made a list of 13 topics for discussion:

1. Temperance
2. Silence
3. Order
4. Resolution.
5. Frugality.
6. Industry.
7. Sincerity.
8. Justice.
9. Moderation.
10. Cleanliness.
11. Tranquility.
12. Chastity.
13. Humility (for Franklin maybe the most challenging of all)

Have no idea where to go with this so won't try. I thought the topic and Franklin's list might be interesting.
Click to expand...
Both Franklin and Jefferson traveled in the same enlightened circle of educated Renaissance men. It appears to me that Franklin's list fits nicely with a list of Western virtues, specifically the seven heavenly virtues. It's not that far from the Bushido code either.

675e65825b02bf2988ec3f123eee8272.jpg
98c152d3dbb18fd2a64c9d48af08935b_b82240cc684ea0070d155deb90863aa5.jpg
 
Jordan Peterson says that we are so bad at knowing what would make us happy and it is so fleeting that it is not a worthy aim.

This is one of the few places I dont agree with him.....though he is right that today few people know what would make them happy.....but this is not the normal state of affairs......this is a result of us living in a profound dark age......I dont have this problem.
 
martin said:
When Jefferson enshrined "the pursuit of happiness" in the Declaration he had more in mind than people then probably realized although the "pursuit" was much discussed and written about in Jefferson's circle and had long been a subject in philosophical texts. Cicero's answer of virtue was a widely agreed upon goal of the pursuit, the question then becoming - what is virtue? Benjamin Franklin made a list of 13 topics for discussion:

1. Temperance
2. Silence
3. Order
4. Resolution.
5. Frugality.
6. Industry.
7. Sincerity.
8. Justice.
9. Moderation.
10. Cleanliness.
11. Tranquility.
12. Chastity.
13. Humility (for Franklin maybe the most challenging of all)

Have no idea where to go with this so won't try. I thought the topic and Franklin's list might be interesting.
Click to expand...
Good list. Probably Chastity was also a challenge for Franklin.
 
Hawkeye10 said:
Jordan Peterson says that we are so bad at knowing what would make us happy and it is so fleeting that it is not a worthy aim.

This is one of the few places I dont agree with him.....though he is right that today few people know what would make them happy.....but this is not the normal state of affairs......this is a result of us living in a profound dark age......I dont have this problem.
Click to expand...
Peterson is a bag of psychobabble bullshit. Word salad is his forte. Beyond that, he has little of substance to say.
 
martin said:
When Jefferson enshrined "the pursuit of happiness" in the Declaration he had more in mind than people then probably realized although the "pursuit" was much discussed and written about in Jefferson's circle and had long been a subject in philosophical texts. Cicero's answer of virtue was a widely agreed upon goal of the pursuit, the question then becoming - what is virtue? Benjamin Franklin made a list of 13 topics for discussion:

1. Temperance
2. Silence
3. Order
4. Resolution.
5. Frugality.
6. Industry.
7. Sincerity.
8. Justice.
9. Moderation.
10. Cleanliness.
11. Tranquility.
12. Chastity.
13. Humility (for Franklin maybe the most challenging of all)

Have no idea where to go with this so won't try. I thought the topic and Franklin's list might be interesting.
Click to expand...

Many of those sound like they are based on Christian ideals.
 
The Seven Grandfathers' Teachings of the Anishinaabe (Ojibwe) people are these. It's interesting how so many cultures overlap with what is considered the ideal way to live one's life (Mino-bimaadiziwin -- living life in a good way)

1. Minwaadendamowin – Respect
2. Zaagidiwin – Love
3. Debwewin – Truth
4. Aakodewewin – Bravery
5. Nibwaakawin – Wisdom
6. Miigwe'aadiziwin – Generosity
7. Dibaadendiziwin – Humility
 
ThatOwlWoman said:
Many of those sound like they are based on Christian ideals.
Click to expand...

They are early Jewish ideals, i.e. the same thing.

They are also incompatible with modern libertoon and Marxist fantasies. All on the list are essential for a people to exercise and maintain a democratic republic, along with literacy and education, which makes every one of them anathema to left wingers and sexual deviants.
 
ThatOwlWoman said:
Much to the embarrassment of the American people, and the scorn of the rest of the freedom-loving civilized world. A moral person abhors him and his scurrilous anti-American, fascist behaviors.
Click to expand...
I've never met an honorable MAGAt. They are all dishonest, traitorous, anti-American and/or simply insane. If the civil war comes, they should all be taken down to the ground.

Since most are weak, cowardly pieces of shit, I expect they will ditch their Trump flags and red hats then go into hiding.

a3ys30.gif
 
ThatOwlWoman said:
Did he father many children with many women?
Click to expand...
He had three kids in the US, one of whom died in childhood of smallpox. It's possible he fathered a few more in France during his nearly 10 years there. His wife, Deborah, died in 1774.


kids.britannica.com

Benjamin Franklin

(1706–90). Benjamin Franklin was an 18th-century writer, publisher, scientist, and inventor. He is best known, however, as a leader in the American colonies before, during,…
kids.britannica.com kids.britannica.com
Franklin married Deborah Read, the daughter of his landlady, in 1730. She was devoted to him and was a cheerful and thrifty wife. Franklin had three children. His oldest son, William Franklin, was born to another woman before Benjamin Franklin married. William Franklin eventually became governor of New Jersey. His second son, Francis Folger Franklin, died in childhood of smallpox. His daughter, Sarah Franklin, survived to adulthood and married a merchant....

...In 1776 Congress sent Franklin on his most important diplomatic mission. He was asked to persuade France to help America in its fight for independence. Franklin reached Paris in December.

Franklin worked hard while in France. First he had to secure formal recognition of America. Then he had to persuade the French that an alliance would be helpful to them. He was successful, and the Franco-American Alliance, or Treaty of Alliance, was signed on February 6, 1778. With this treaty, France agreed to supply critically needed military aid and loans to the American colonies. People around the world hailed Franklin as the champion of liberty.

During the last years of the American Revolution, Franklin remained in France as a representative of America. In the early 1780s he was one of the commissioners to negotiate peace with Great Britain. In September 1783 he was one of the signers of the peace treaty that ended the Revolution.

Throughout his public service, Franklin kept up his scientific interests. He was fascinated to see the first flight of humans in a hot-air balloon, which took place in November 1783.

Franklin was by this time in his late 70s, and he was ill. He left for America in 1785. On the voyage Franklin, still fascinated with scientific experiments, measured ocean currents and water temperature.
.

​

 
Dutch Uncle said:
He had three kids in the US, one of whom died in childhood of smallpox. It's possible he fathered a few more in France during his nearly 10 years there. His wife, Deborah, died in 1774.


kids.britannica.com

Benjamin Franklin

(1706–90). Benjamin Franklin was an 18th-century writer, publisher, scientist, and inventor. He is best known, however, as a leader in the American colonies before, during,…
kids.britannica.com kids.britannica.com
Franklin married Deborah Read, the daughter of his landlady, in 1730. She was devoted to him and was a cheerful and thrifty wife. Franklin had three children. His oldest son, William Franklin, was born to another woman before Benjamin Franklin married. William Franklin eventually became governor of New Jersey. His second son, Francis Folger Franklin, died in childhood of smallpox. His daughter, Sarah Franklin, survived to adulthood and married a merchant....

...In 1776 Congress sent Franklin on his most important diplomatic mission. He was asked to persuade France to help America in its fight for independence. Franklin reached Paris in December.

Franklin worked hard while in France. First he had to secure formal recognition of America. Then he had to persuade the French that an alliance would be helpful to them. He was successful, and the Franco-American Alliance, or Treaty of Alliance, was signed on February 6, 1778. With this treaty, France agreed to supply critically needed military aid and loans to the American colonies. People around the world hailed Franklin as the champion of liberty.

During the last years of the American Revolution, Franklin remained in France as a representative of America. In the early 1780s he was one of the commissioners to negotiate peace with Great Britain. In September 1783 he was one of the signers of the peace treaty that ended the Revolution.

Throughout his public service, Franklin kept up his scientific interests. He was fascinated to see the first flight of humans in a hot-air balloon, which took place in November 1783.

Franklin was by this time in his late 70s, and he was ill. He left for America in 1785. On the voyage Franklin, still fascinated with scientific experiments, measured ocean currents and water temperature.
.

​

Click to expand...
He was hugely Famous in Paris when there in his 70's for his discovery of the lightning road, the Gulf Stream, as a founder of the upstart American nation and his entertaining gift for gab. He somehow wildly attracted younger French women but there seems to be no historical evidence there was anything beyond flirting.
 
EdwinA said:
They are early Jewish ideals, i.e. the same thing.

They are also incompatible with modern libertoon and Marxist fantasies. All on the list are essential for a people to exercise and maintain a democratic republic, along with literacy and education, which makes every one of them anathema to left wingers and sexual deviants.
Click to expand...
Go fuck yourself.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top