Ralph Waldo Emerson Essay

Those who hypothecate transcendental philosophy is just a literary achievement that took place in the early 1800s are however half correct. transcendentalism is indeed a literary movement however, it is much more than that. It is meant to challenge muckle to think for themselves and urinate change. Authors such as Ralph Waldo Emerson, hydrogen David Thoreau, Jerome Lawrence and Robert Edwin Lee taught the importance of non-con manakinity and civil disobedience with short stories such as Self corporate trust and On the Duty of civilised Disobedience, and the play, The iniquity Thoreau Spent in Jail.transcendental philosophy is based on the belief that knowledge is derived from experience and personal blame as opposed to reason. Transcendentalism gain grounds self-revelation because it encourages citizenry to form their experience opinions and then voice them in a counselling that will promote change in society. Transcendentalists ground their philosophy with the idea t hat every persons inner self is where knowledge is gained.In Ralph Waldo Emersons Self Reliance, he labels, What I must do is all that concerns me, non what the plenty thinkIt is light in the world to pass away after the worlds opinion it is easy in solitude to live after our own but the great man is he who in the midst of the group keeps with perfect sweetness the emancipation of solitude. Emerson realizes that it is easy to conform to society, but there is nurse in forming whizs own opinion. What sticks a person great is if he or she potty brook out in a crowd of mountain. man in a crowd, one stick out see the overall ideas of the group but neer the man-to-man thoughts that made up these ideas. Emerson is saying that to be great, one must be sufficient to be with the crowd physically, but mentally remain ones own person with their own ideas. Because Transcendentalism values individual opinions, it is also important to the great unwashed such as Henry David Thorea u that everyone, especially the presidency, is free to some other peoples opinions.In On the Duty of Civil Disobedience Thoreau says, thither will never be a very free and enlightened affirm until the State fares to recognize the individual as a higher and independent power and treats him accordingly. Thoreau understands that citizens should be able to influence the government and cause change. To do this, the government deficiencys to treat its citizens with watch over. Politicians and other government benders need to do away with their pride and listen to what is really important- the citizens. When people can form their own opinions, respect others opinions, and voice their opinions, there will be harmony.In Transcendentalism, people are back up not wholly to form their own opinions, but to voice them as well. Thoreau tells everyone to become known what kind of government would ascendance his respect, and that will be one step toward obtaining it (Thoreau). He suppo rts transcendentalism by encouraging people to stand up and talk about their opinions. Thoreau understands that change, especially in government can tho occur when individuals make their opinions heard. During his life, Thoreau challenged the idea of slavery, government corruption, payment of taxes, and the Mexican-American War.In The iniquity Thoreau Spent in Jail, Thoreau is talking to his old professor about how he should voice his discontent with the Mexican-American War. When Thoreaus professor asks when he should voice his opinion Thoreau yells, right away A year ago was too new-fashioned Ill get you an audience. This afternoon. At Concord form (Lawrence and Lee 89). In the play, Thoreau expresses that opinions are no redeeming(prenominal) if they are not proclaimed to the world. If opinions are not voiced they cannot be heard.Transcendentalism values individual opinions and acknowledges that voicing them is crucial if they are vent to spearpoint change in their soci ety. Transcendentalists agree that self-revelation is wasted if it is not voiced and then heard and thereby do change. During The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail, Thoreau spends a miniature amount of time as a directteacher. While Thoreau is a schoolteacher, he gets into trouble with the schoolmaster because he lets his kids Huckleberry in order to come to a end point in a class discussion.After he gets in trouble Thoreau sarcastically tells his students, You must not listen to a cricket or smelling a flower that has not been approved by the School Committee. Youd better close two ears and hold your nose- though you may have to vex an extra hand to do it (Lawrence and Lee 20). In this instance, Thoreau is trying to speak out against the strict insurance of the school committee. He sees that the policy is unfair and that students should be able to learn in a way that is effective for them.By speaking out against the school committee, Thoreau is opening up the possibility for a cl ean up in the education system. Thoreau sees that there is an opportunity to promote change so he takes it and speaks his opinion. harmonise to Thoreau and other transcendentalists, the government needs to be ameliorated. Thoreau says, The government itself, which is only the mode which the people have chosen to move their will, is equally liable to be abused and far-out before the people can act done it (Thoreau). Transcendentalists agree that the government usually does not work for the people it is protecting.However, they do realize that it is necessary for the natural selection of the United States. Thoreau is encouraging people to take a stand against the current government, which he hopes will forgo to a reform that will empower people to demand more influence in politics. Transcendentalism emphasizes that individuals need to voice their opinions if change is going to occur. According to Transcendentalists, promoting change in society occurs through self-revelation. on that point must be free thinking people in the world who are willing to make their voice heard if change is ever going to occur.Today many people think that the American school system is something that needs to be reformed. There is a problem if most students are no longer engaged and excited to go to school. Transcendentalists would say that students should be learning things that are interesting to them and cause them to think beyond what is being taught. Students should be encouraged to investigate and debate ideas in order to come up with their own. If America were still in the Transcendentalism time period, people would be insisting on these types of changes. They know that if they do not speak out, goose egg will happen.