Episode 75: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Virtue
SUMMARY
To be “happy” isn’t what it meant when the United States was founded. In this episode, Milo and Olivia explore how the pursuit of virtue is at the heart of what our found father’s were wanting of a free people.
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INTRODUCTION
To be “happy” isn’t what it meant when the United States was founded. In this episode, Milo and Olivia explore how the pursuit of virtue is at the heart of what our found father’s were wanting of a free people.
DEFINING HAPPINESS TODAY
Individualism: It’s seen as a personal pursuit—fulfilling one’s desires, achieving personal goals, and seeking pleasure.
Consumerism: Happiness is often linked to acquiring goods, services, and experiences.
Aspirationalism: Advertisements and social media promote happiness as attainable through purchases, lifestyle upgrades, and social validation.
OUTCOME OF PURSUING HAPPINESS
Self-Optimization: There’s an expectation to constantly improve oneself, often through wellness products, self-help, and life coaching.
Short-Term Gratification: Happiness is often equated with immediate pleasure or relief, leading to a cycle of wanting more.
Mental Health Impact: This pursuit can result in anxiety, depression, and dissatisfaction, especially when happiness is tied to material success or peer approval.
Spiritual Bankruptsy: the pursuit of an elusive feeling compromise the moral fiber of one’s soul leading to a life of shame, isolation, and regret.
HOW THE FRAMERS OF THE CONSTITUTION UNDERSTOOD HAPPINESS
Virtue-Based: Happiness was understood to mean living a virtuous, ethical life.
Temperance – Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.
Silence – Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.
Order – Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.
Resolution – Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.
Frugality – Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.
Industry – Lose no time; be always employed in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.
Sincerity – Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.
Justice – Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.
Moderation – Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
Cleanliness – Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation.
Tranquility – Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.
Chastity – Rarely use venery (sexual indulgence) but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another’s peace or reputation.
Humility – Imitate Jesus and Socrates
OUTCOME OF PURSUING VIRTUE
Individual Stability: the responsibility for one’s own “happiness” virtue produces a stable person as they become increasingly aware of their own personal strengths and weaknesses.
Community Stability: contributing to the common good and participating in society is an outcome of someone developing their personal virtues.
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Theme Music: Love Poem by Soyb
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