The Pursuit of Happiness

Henry Home, Lord Kames
Essays On the Principles of Morality
and Natural Religion
Edinburgh: A. Kincaid & A. Donaldson, 1751
Rare Book & Special Collections Division
Purchase, 1815 (5)

Jefferson's annotated copy of the first edition of the Scottish philosopher, Lord Kames' book on moral philosophy shows how he used his books as building blocks in the development of his own philosophy. Kames was a leader of the "moral sense" school which held that people have an innate sense of right and wrong. When they act virtuously, they increase the general happiness of mankind. Thus, the pursuit of virtue and morality is the "pursuit of happiness."