Optional Assignment

1. What is the origin of the phrase "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness?" What was the original meaning (before it arrived in the Colonies)?
2. What were the Federalist Papers? Who wrote them & what did they say?
3. Name three philosophers that were icons to the original founders of the US. What ideas were these philosophers famous for?

Answers
1. This famous phrase was based on philosopher John Locke's writings. The original meaning of this phrase was "no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty, or possessions."
2.The Federalist Papers were a series of 85 articles and it served as a primary source for the Constitution. It was the philosophy of a proposed government system for the United States. Alexander Hamilton wrote the majority of the papers, and it covered six topics.
3. John Locke was the main influence for the founding fathers. His ideas of "tabula rasa" which means a government with the consent of the governed. He also had a major influence on political philosophy and rights of life. Karl Marx wrote the communist manifesto and introduced the idea of having a communist like government. Voltaire contributed the idea of free trade and freedom of religion which these ideas formed American and made it what it is today.