Pursuit: The Founders' Guide to Happiness

Episode 9: Tranquility with James Madison

Listen Later

While at Princeton, James Madison was exposed to faculty psychology, the idea that balancing the different parts of the soul achieves harmony. Jeffrey Rosen, Professor Colleen Sheehan and filmmaker Ken Burns explore how Madison infused these lessons about faculty psychology into his political philosophy and embraced the notion that personal self-government is necessary for political self-government.

Stay Connected and Learn More

  • Questions or comments about the show? Email us at [email protected]
  • Continue the conversation by following us on social media @ConstitutionCtr 
  • Explore the America at 250 Civic Toolkit
  • Learn more about the NCC’s and Arizona State University's new online course on civic virtue, 'What the Founders Meant by “Happiness”: A Journey Through Virtue and Character’ and sign up for email updates 
  • Sign up to receive Constitution Weekly, our email roundup of constitutional news and debate
  • Follow, rate, and review wherever you listen
  • Join us for an upcoming live program or watch recordings on YouTube
  • Support our important work:
    • Donate


    Pursuit: The Founders’ Guide to Happiness is made possible with support from the John Templeton Foundation. © 2025 National Constitution Center. All Rights Reserved.
    ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store
    Pursuit: The Founders' Guide to HappinessBy National Constitution Center