Abstract
Some people have tried to equate the constitutional right to the pursuit of happiness with the notion of love. The question remains whether there is an interrelation between happiness, law, and love? This chapter argues that according to the Thomistic view, there is an interconnection between love and happiness. God is the ultimate object of happiness, and the attainment of happiness involves both sensitive and rational love. Under this model, love and happiness are connected to the law in the sense that God instructs human beings through the law, which aims to foster a love of God and love of neighbour. Divine law is concerned with both the external and internal actions of human beings. Under an orientation towards the love of God and love of human beings, divine law directs human beings towards God as the source of ultimate happiness. While human law is mostly concerned with external actions, it also indirectly brings human beings to everlasting happiness, especially through its “supernatural inclination.” Through the promotion of the virtues, human law has a “supernatural inclination” that directs the human mind to contemplate God philosophically on a natural level and in heaven’s beatific vision on the supernatural level.
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