FReeper help needed;Declaration of Independence

myself | Jan24,03 | Dianna

[Dianna]

I am giving an oral presentation to my American Literature class about the Declaration Of Independence, specifically the section:

"We hold 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"

I'm having trouble figuring out exactly what I want to say. What I have included so far is the idea that Jefferson was talking about inherent worth of humanity at our individual creation. He cannot be meaning that we are all of equal worth at 20, 50 or 100 years old because we know those rights (Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness) CAN be abridged due to our behavior through jailing and the death penalty.

Why has this idea been so contention throughout our history, including the present time? First, not everyone believed that all people WERE created equal. And here is where my focus gets cloudy.

I want to "end" with a discussion of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Homosexual rights, showing that the focus of these movements are NOT that we (they) had unequal rights under the law, but with the idea that society as it is ordered today interferes with their pursuit of Happiness. And what the dangers of progressing in this manner might be.

I'm not certain if I should include a discussion of the Bill of Rights and how we get from Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness to gun rights, voting, etc. But I think I should include some overview of when different groups attained those rights (like voting, gun ownership) and show that progression; highlighting the shift between actual legal inequality and "pursuit of Happiness". As far as I know this occured with the Americans with Disabilities Act, but I'm not sure.

Any ideas, thoughs, help would be greatly appreciated!

[Freedom2specul8]

I would definitely make sure you recognize and mention why those words were included..starting with a brief mention of the lack thereof in europe.

[Dianna]

That's my problem! There are too many things to include! I had started out intending to discuss the whole beginning part of the Declaration, but quickly realized how impossible that would be.

[Freedom2specul8]

Then maybe you could limit it to the purpose of it.

1. what we had- brief description
2. what we wanted --brief description
3. what we got..

3 brief paragraphs with the final summary.. :)

[Dianna]

I tried to borrow your left wing college ping list, but can't figure out how it works. Can you ping for me?

[Freedom2specul8]

Rephrasing..what the signers had, wanted and got.

[Protagoras]

The statement you cited discusses WHERE rights originate. That is to say, they are not granted at the pleasure of other people. Like governments or kings.

It also points out that there are many other rights which individuals have other than those mentioned.

Many people miss those distinctions, teachers almost always.

[CyberCowboy777]

Ping

[Dianna]

1. what we had- brief description 2. what we wanted --brief description 3. what we got..

Well, arguing whether we got what we wanted could take a lifetime. LOL!! It's a college class and I assume MOST people have that vague idea already. And the professor will be lecturing on this subject also, so I want to leave the boring stuff to him. :)

[Snuffington]

Ping

[Protagoras]

"We hold 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"

The bold words are needing of particular attention. It should also be noted that Jefferson's original draft cited property, not pursuit of happiness. It reflected his emphasis on property rights, but was amended by the others involved.

[Morgan in Denver]

http://www.barefootsworld.net/doi1776.html
http://www.archives.gov/exhibit_hall/charters_of_freedom/declaration/declaration_style.html

Here are two places to read some things on it. The second one is fantastic, in understanding how well it is written.

Morgan

[widowithfoursons]

OK, everyone has the RIGHT to life (being born), liberty(not being oppressed by tyrants), and the PURSUIT of happiness (breaking the law and going to jail doesn't change this; the individual made a personal choice).

Why not gear your paper toward the thesis of "Personal Responsibility is the Cornerstone of Independence"? I'm sure your professor hasn't considered something that radical.

[Freedom2specul8]

That's true..but to summarize it by explaining how the evolution of our country may have strayed from it's founder's original intentions...we still have (fill in the blank)...while most of the world does not. A good theasurus, philosophical statements..and voila..college material. haha The federalist papers might help a little.

[PatrickHenry]

You ought to look at The Virginia Declaration of Rights, which preceded the drafting of the Declaration of Independence. It provides:

Section 1. That all men are by nature equally free and independent and have certain inherent rights, of which, when they enter into a state of society, they cannot, by any compact, deprive or divest their posterity; namely, the enjoyment of life and liberty, with the means of acquiring and possessing property, and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety.

Then look into the life and works of George Mason, who was responsible for the Virginia Declaration of Rights. Then look into the philosophical sources used by Mason.

[Freedom2specul8]

That's a good one!

[ClearCase_guy]

I don't want to distract from the original poster's cry for help, but something I've been curious about:

"The pursuit of happiness". Is that a phrase with an agreed upon meaning? Did Locke use it and define it? Hobbes? Jefferson? I've always assumed that it was about property rights and economic freedom (you can work and earn money as you see fit and do not have to do the King's bidding).

But my assumption could be wrong. Does anyone have a concrete reference to the original intent of Pursuit of Happiness?

[Dianna]

This is great! Thanks so much!

[Freedom2specul8]

You mentioned you didn'twant it boring..how bout taking on the perspective of "publius"..

[Argus]

Google the following:

Locke
Hume
Hobbes
Montesquieu
Jefferson
Madison
Hamilton
Marshall
Burke

Read "The Federalist Papers"