174 Self-Evident Truths

Aug. 1, 2026

On this week’s Mosaic Ark, the ladies continued their discussion of Alexander Pope’s “Essay on Man,” and in particular its relationship to that part of the Declaration of Independence that lists one of man’s inalienable rights — the pursuit of happiness. We though that, in its day, that phrase, “the pursuit of happiness,” must have sounded like a fairly ludicrous idea to include in such an important political document. It was far too broad, too undefined, too frivolous — wasn’t it? In a word, no. In his poetic Essay, Pope repeatedly mentioned this word with respect to Man’s place in creation, and as we found while reading Epistle III, with respect to Man’s place in society. Listen as we discuss Pope’s very well-defined description of the nature of society, how men flourish in society, and how this concept eventually helped to order our nation under our constitution. —Streamed July 31, 2026