This piece is, I contend, a must-read. In far greater detail than I have articulated here at Substack, Barry Brownstein explains how the Founding generation understood the pursuit of happiness - and goes further still, noting how this conception of happiness dovetails with that of the late Dr. Victor Frankl, who survived the Holocaust.
Daniel Y. contends this piece is a must-read. I'd guess I would not be too far off base to suggest that virtually every column Professor Barry writes is a must read. Always wonderful and thought provoking. To me, The Declaration of Independence has always reflected the best of America and what made it truly unique. This column about the Pursuit of Happiness is another piece of the puzzle that we study here at Mindset Shifts U. Whether it's The Jefferson idea of developing virtue and goodness, or Frankel's belief that we should all lead meaningful lives, or how Reynolds and Krech even define happiness, all of these columns fit together in helping us to first understand the life puzzle we are all living and then to help us to live a more fulfilled life. What could be better than that?
As a Jewish man, I married a Catholic woman many years ago which created some potential conflicts for us. Fortunately we came to the conclusion that what God wants for all of us is to be good, kind, decent people, which I contend is another piece of Barry's Mindset Shifts U. puzzle.
Jefferson wrote, " health, learning, and virtue will ensure your happiness". I think all of Barry's subscribers are very fortunate that we regularly study these concepts and I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that we all benefit immeasurably. There is so much chaos and conflict in the world today, but as a student of Mindset Shifts, you learn it really doesn't have to be that way.
The very last nine of your column got me thinking Barry. So many things you discuss do seem interconnected and you wrote, “Today, more than ever, the pursuit of happiness is essential to preserving liberty.”
Could you perhaps also say that preserving liberty is the key to the pursuit of happiness? 🤔
Absolutely, Martin. You are pointing us to a virtuous circle. One caveat: we don't want to let external conditions become an excuse for not pursuing meaning.
I'd say you taught us well about that caveat in the earlier Viktor Frankl session. Have a terrific holiday everybody. I suspect July 4 means more to your students than to most others. I mean I love hot dogs and burgers as much as anybody, but I truly enjoy understanding what liberty and freedom mean for all of us. Thank you so much Barry.
This piece is, I contend, a must-read. In far greater detail than I have articulated here at Substack, Barry Brownstein explains how the Founding generation understood the pursuit of happiness - and goes further still, noting how this conception of happiness dovetails with that of the late Dr. Victor Frankl, who survived the Holocaust.
I appreciate your message, Daniel. Thank you.
Daniel Y. contends this piece is a must-read. I'd guess I would not be too far off base to suggest that virtually every column Professor Barry writes is a must read. Always wonderful and thought provoking. To me, The Declaration of Independence has always reflected the best of America and what made it truly unique. This column about the Pursuit of Happiness is another piece of the puzzle that we study here at Mindset Shifts U. Whether it's The Jefferson idea of developing virtue and goodness, or Frankel's belief that we should all lead meaningful lives, or how Reynolds and Krech even define happiness, all of these columns fit together in helping us to first understand the life puzzle we are all living and then to help us to live a more fulfilled life. What could be better than that?
As a Jewish man, I married a Catholic woman many years ago which created some potential conflicts for us. Fortunately we came to the conclusion that what God wants for all of us is to be good, kind, decent people, which I contend is another piece of Barry's Mindset Shifts U. puzzle.
Jefferson wrote, " health, learning, and virtue will ensure your happiness". I think all of Barry's subscribers are very fortunate that we regularly study these concepts and I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that we all benefit immeasurably. There is so much chaos and conflict in the world today, but as a student of Mindset Shifts, you learn it really doesn't have to be that way.
Thanks as always Barry.
Thank you for sharing your reflections Martin. They have helped me. Every column Professor Barry writes is a must read.
Martin, I appreciate your kind note and your ability to see connections. Thank you.
The very last nine of your column got me thinking Barry. So many things you discuss do seem interconnected and you wrote, “Today, more than ever, the pursuit of happiness is essential to preserving liberty.”
Could you perhaps also say that preserving liberty is the key to the pursuit of happiness? 🤔
Absolutely, Martin. You are pointing us to a virtuous circle. One caveat: we don't want to let external conditions become an excuse for not pursuing meaning.
I'd say you taught us well about that caveat in the earlier Viktor Frankl session. Have a terrific holiday everybody. I suspect July 4 means more to your students than to most others. I mean I love hot dogs and burgers as much as anybody, but I truly enjoy understanding what liberty and freedom mean for all of us. Thank you so much Barry.
Excellent. Truly erudite and excellent.
Happiness is remembered not experienced. Kahneman(?)
Thanks for the kind note, Bart.
Yes, Kahneman.
I thought the only way I would understand Jefferson's happiness would be to write a meditation on it. Thanks to this post, now I don't have to...
You are very kind, Bruce. Thank you.
My Declaration of Interdependence July 4, 2025:
https://www.ethicalgovernmentnow.org/our-declaration