Date of Award

8-1-2023

Language

English

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

College/School/Department

Department of Political Science

Dissertation/Thesis Chair

Peter Breiner

Committee Members

Bruce Miroff, Michael J. Malbin, Marcus Adams

Keywords

Founding Father, happiness, James Wilson, moral sense, popular sovereignty, Thomas Reid

Subject Categories

Political Science

Abstract

This dissertation rediscovers the forgotten political philosophy of founding father James Wilson, revealing its alternative vision for American politics. Wilson interpreted popular sovereignty as both a political and moral principle. Borrowing heavily from Scottish philosopher Thomas Reid, Wilson adapted Reidian epistemology, philosophical psychology, and moral science to explain how “the people” acted simultaneously as political actors and moral agents. The people acted with the goal of achieving their happiness, which Wilson defined as moral excellence. With his moral definition of happiness, Wilson intentionally linked the Declaration of Independence with the US Constitution, understanding the latter as building on the foundation of the former. His moral interpretation of popular sovereignty differed substantively from that of his more famous contemporaries, Publius, author of The Federalist, and Thomas Jefferson. Wilson’s moral interpretation of popular sovereignty later emerged under Lincoln’s presidency. During the turmoil of the Civil War, Lincoln used a logic similar to Wilson, understanding the moral basis of popular sovereignty expressed in the Declaration. James Wilson’s political philosophy teaches us the consequential significance that the moral component of popular sovereignty holds for any republic desirous to perpetuate its self-governance and happiness.

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