Discussion Topic
click for reading
In the 1830s and 1840s, New England transcendentalists such as Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreauemphasized self-reliance over external authority when it came to forming opinions and making decisions. In contrast to the rationalists of the Enlightenment, who valued reason, transcendentalists valued the beliefs of the individual, self-knowledge, and instinct.
After reading the excerpts from Emerson and Thoreau, answer at least one of these questions in your first posting:
- What are the similarities and differences between Emerson's philosophy and the religious thought of the Second Great Awakening?
- Do you agree with what these writers say about individualism? Explain.
- Are there any passages you don't understand, or that you agree or disagree with? Which ones? Explain, or post a response to another student's comments.
As you read other students' responses, respond to one or more of these questions in your follow-up posting(s):
- Do the reform movements of abolitionism and women's rights seem to follow Thoreau's teachings? Give an example to support your point.
- Do people in the United States today seem to believe in the transcendentalist ideas of Emerson and Thoreau?
Required Reading
Before you enter the discussion, be sure to click reading and read the following document(s):
- Excerpts from Ralph Waldo Emerson's "Self Reliance."
- Excerpts from Henry David Thoreau's "Civil Disobedience."
Scoring
This discussion is worth a maximum of 15 points. You'll get 10 points for your first post. Your instructor will give you another 5 points if you post a follow-up comment or question that furthers the discussion.
Original:
ReplyDeleteThe similarities between Emerson's philosophy and the religious thought of the second great awakening was both sought for new ideals of the american people. Both Emerson's philosophy and the religious thought of the second great awakening wanted to change the usual living of the american people. But Emerson theory urged Americans to explore their own worlds and self-reliance. Whereas religion of the second awakening, no longer viewed sins as involuntary and wanted Americans to admit to their sins.
I do agree with what the writers say about individualism, that the individual should follow their instincts rather than submit to conformity. Individualism encouraged deeper thinking and more independence of the american people.
Original:
ReplyDeleteI agree with Thoreau's concept of cicil disobedience because I believe that man should be answerable to his own conscience before he should be brought before the law. And if the majority of the citizens do not agree with a law, they should not be required to obey those laws. After all, the government should be answerable to the citizens, not the other way around.
To Naomi:
ReplyDeleteThe idea of individualism is definitely interesting and is something I also concur with because after all, individuals should learn themselves well and listen to their instinct more often because once individuals have that spiritual connection with themselves, they are often more centered and grounded in their ideas and do not conform to others' views in order to fit in.
To Jasbir:
ReplyDeleteI didn't think of individualism as a spiritual connection, but I totally understand your explanation. People are able to connect with themselves and use their instincts to make their own decisions.
Original:
ReplyDeleteI agree that individualism is in fact based on trusting oneself and speaking one's mind. Emerson's idea that believing what is good for you is good for other is extremely difficult to defend and challenge. Believing what is good for you is good for everyone promotes equality however, it does not promote individualism. Although I do agree that trusting yourself does promote individualism. Believing in yourself creates less doubt, insecurity, and generally makes society more confident and truthful.
To Naomi and Jasbir
ReplyDeleteI agree, I do not believe individualism can be compared to a spiritual connection. Although you can argue that in order to become an individual or have an individual way of thinking, you must first attain a spiritual connection, however, that might only be true for a percentage of people. You do not have to know/connect to yourself in order to figure out where you stand.
Original:
ReplyDeleteI do not believe people in the United States today seem to believe in the transcendentalist idea of Emerson and Thoreau. Most people today conform because it is easier than becoming an individual. Also most people are not confident in their own thoughts so they wear a mask until they become comfortable in a specific situation. Also the idea of civil disobedience is becoming a concept of the past. People are too scared to break away from the rules and regulations of society. Disobeying laws and commands of the government comes at a hefty price. There are fines in which people cannot afford to attain because of the current state of the economy and there is also the fear of being jailed which basically blacklist people from specific occupations and social statues. The ironic part of the fear situation is that it is the people whose power fuels the government and the fact that people are afraid begs the questions as to who really runs this country?
The similarities between the two philosophies was that both wanted to change the way society held itself. Emerson and Thoreau expressed ideas about rugged individualism and reliance on yourself not that of the government. I agree with this assertion in that people should depend onthemselves not others, and take responsibility for their action.
ReplyDeleteShevana: I agree exactly with what you are saying, the American people today do not adhere to these principles, but rather rely on the government or others. There is no more taking responsibility for your actions, rather just blaming others.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what both of these writers say about individualism. An individual should do things for him/herself, and if he/she finds a law unjust then he/she should rebel against it.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the abolitionist and women's rights reform movements follow Thoreau's teachings, as both of these movements stress rebelling against governmental rules that people feel are unjust.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the ideals that Emerson and Thoreau presented about rugged individualism and reliance on yourself as opposed to external authority. This is because in order to have a successsful society individuals must first learn to take responsibility for themselves before they can focus on others.
ReplyDeleteI believe that people today do not believe in the transcendentalists theories because people today rely to much on eachother and the government as opposed to on themselves. On too many occasions do we find people acting in manners based on outside influence. We are forced to obey the government regulations and people still refuse to take responsibilty for their actions.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the premiss of Thoreau's theory of cicil disobedience. I agree that men should be required to answer to his own conscience, that is before he is to be brought before the law. If laws are created, that the majority of citizens do not fall in sync with, those laws shouldn't be in place. That being said, the government is answerable to the body of people that it governs, rather than other way around.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Naomi in the idea that individualism doesn't necessarily have a connection to anything spiritual, however, I too can see where that explanation can come in.
ReplyDelete