The Preamble

The Preamble

The Pursuit of Happiness

American founders thought of happiness quite differently than we do

Ed Thompson Payne's avatar
Ed Thompson Payne
Jan 02, 2026
∙ Paid

The American Founders were not just political architects; they were deeply invested in the pursuit of virtue and happiness — something they believed was essential for the survival of the young republic. We explored this belief with Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, a professor of law at George Washington University, a…

This post is for paid subscribers

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2026 Sharon McMahon · Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start your SubstackGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture