Essay on Emersons Philosophy - 640 Words

Emersons Philosophy Emerson placed an emphasis on three primary aspects of life that illustrate the most crucial elements of humanity; nature, education and action. According to his theology, nature is the chief facet and because of its universal features, it arguably encompasses the remaining two tenets. Nature supports progress and action by providing physical accommodations in the form of material assets while simultaneously feeding the emotional hunger of man with inspirational beauty. His entire philosophy is embedded in the belief that an external presence shapes and influences the spiritual, intellectual, and physical elements of the individual. In fact, virtually every aspect of man can be traced back to the perfect order of†¦show more content†¦Imagination, creativity and the unique spirit of the individual are all characteristics of Emerson’s romantic philosophy. He encourages the struggle against conformity and consistency in a battle to preserve the essence of one’s ch aracter. If the core of persons are salvaged, then nature is present in those individuals. These ideal individuals are considered nature because of their originality and beauty; they are natural creations just as a stream or a leaf. â€Å"The universe is composed of nature and the soul† (p. 1107) Nature is so pertinent to Emerson’s romantic philosophy because anything that is considered exquisitely irreplaceable could be qualified as nature. Therefore, wherever an individual is, there too nature must be. They do not exist in isolation. Man not only appreciates the beauty of nature, but is a composition of it himself. â€Å"The power to produce this delight, does not reside in nature, but in man, or in a harmony of both.† (p. 1109) Nature speaks to the heart of spirituality and revitalizes the relationship between man and a higher being. â€Å"The foundations of man are not in matter, but in spirit† (p. 1132). Nature is an institution for experiencing the presence of God. Emerson applies his philosophical beliefs of process to that of his view on religion in that he vouches for a God of the present versus one of mainly a historical importance. Much like nature, God is an appreciation of the universalShow MoreRelatedEmerson’s Unifying Philosophy Essay1143 Words   |  5 Pagesreconciliation can be reached from these three differing hypotheses. Emerson’s thesis merely expounds from Descartes and Plato’s philosophies. He builds from Descartes’ search for self-identity and reconciles Plato’s skepticism with his views of self-trust and unconformity among scholars. Throughout â€Å"Mediations I and II†, Descartes disputes definitions of reality and identity, establishing a precursor to Emerson’s philosophy. Initially, Descartes questions all notions of being. In â€Å"MediationRead MoreAutonomy and Self-Reliance: Kant Vs. Emmerson1682 Words   |  7 PagesThe Autonomy of Self-Reliance In the late eighteenth century, with the publication of his theories on morality, Immanuel Kant revolutionized philosophy in a way that greatly impacted the decades of thinkers after him. The result of his influence led to perceptions and interpretations of his ideas reflected in the works of writers all around the world. Kant’s idealism stems from a claim that moral law, a set of innate rules within each individual, gives people the ability to reason, and itRead MoreEvolution Of Freedom Through History Essay1240 Words   |  5 Pagesits final goal of freedom. To Hegel, â€Å"Freedom is nothing but the knowing and the willing of substantial universal objects such as Right and Law†¦i.e., the state† (Hegel 63). In saying that, freedom is the Spirit’s actualization of its final state. Emerson’s idea of a universal mind towards history is stated as, â€Å"There is one mind common to all individual men. Every man is an inlet to the same and to all of the same† (Atkinson 113). That is to say that each man has access to the same information as theRead MoreSocial Anxiety : America s National Identity991 Words   |  4 Pagesrevolted and established a nation, their sons and daughters became responsible for constructing a national identity. As seen in the nineteenth century, America, an emerging nation that arose collectively for a revolution would be fragmented by altered philosophies within its incipient national identity. Several significant facets revolved around the acumens of social anxiety as America’s national identity emerged as a historical response by prominent congregates discontented with conventional societal thoughtRead MoreEssay on The Influence of Ralph Waldo Emerson995 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"Nature†, to his various ess ays, poems and lectures, Emerson’s collection of works maintain an authentic diverse style that separated him from other authors. The confidence and optimism he portrayed thru his work helped to spawn an assembly of followers from not only America, but Europe as well. Many historians believe that Emerson may be the most inspirational figure in American thought since the colonial period, and In my opinion without Emerson’s influences on American Literature and TranscendentalismRead MoreHenry David Thoreau : A Transcendentalist1438 Words   |  6 PagesBaptist and Methodist churches in the 1820s. Between 1833 and 1837, Thoreau studied at Harvard then returned to Concord to teach with his brother until 1842. It is here where he met Ralph Waldo Emerson and began attending Hedge Club meetings in Emerson’s home (Olson, pg. 8), and history manifested to create the two fathers of Transcendentalism. It is interesting that with the growth of Roman Catholicism and Christianity in general in America during this time, Emerson, a Unitarian minister, lookedRead More Ralph Waldo Emersons Self Reliance Essay1423 Words   |  6 PagesRalph Waldo Emersons Self Reliance Ralph Waldo Emerson believes he writes quite the persuading argument in Self-Reliance. Wielding his pen as if it were Excalibur, he vies to stimulate and challenge the down-trodden mind in his classic work on the American Spirit. His lines are affecting, romantic, and hypnotic, especially at the first reading; his thoughts on the page beget inspiration for the reader. Self-Reliance has its value in its boldness, its construction, and matureRead More Ralph Waldo Emerson Essay1326 Words   |  6 Pagesdiscontent with even their decidedly liberal interpretation of Christianity. After a while, however, he discovered the writings of British poet, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and German philosopher, Immanuel Kant, and used their works to shape his own. Emerson’s wife died in 1831, an event that likely pushed him towards a path of self-discovery. At the end of 1832, Emerson left for Europe. While there, he had the opportunity to meet some of his literary idols: William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor ColeridgeRead MoreThe Philosophy of Transcendentalism Essay1292 Words   |  6 Pages Transcendentalism was a philosophy that became influential during the 1800s. It was based on the belief that knowledge is not limited to and solely derived from experience and observation but from the truths seem through reason. In the United Sates, transcendentalism became both a philosophy and a literary, religious, and social movement. Emphasis was placed mainly on oneness with nature and God while making the possibility of social change a reality. Ralph Waldo Emerson was the leading AmericanRead More`` Nature `` By Ralph Waldo Emerson920 Words   |  4 Pagesdiscipline. These define the ways by which humans use nature for their basic needs. Th e historical significance of â€Å"Nature† was that transcendentalism club led the celebration of the American experiment as one of the individualism and self-reliance. [5] Emerson’s purpose in the essay â€Å"Nature† is to lay out and attempt to solve an abstract problem: that humans do not fully accept nature’s beauty. He inscribes that people are distracted by the demands of the world, whereas nature gives human fail to reciprocate