Up@dawn 2.0

Wednesday, May 2, 2018

Emerson’s Life Lessons parts 1&2

Posted for Hannah Williams #3
Part 1

Ralph Waldo Emerson is a famous transcendentalist who lived from 1803-1882. Transcendentalism is the belief that people have knowledge about themselves and the world that goes beyond what their senses can taste, hear, feel, see, or touch. Emerson was the lead transcendentalist of his time and stressed the importance of self-reliance and the opposition of depending on social structures. In his famous work self-reliance Emerson states “Trust Thyself” based on the connection between man and the divine reality that works within him. He argued that everything that we need resides within us. He urged his audience to examine their relationship with God and nature and learn to trust their own judgement above all others. He also stated that if our natural impulses are bad and they come from our inmost being, then we have little choice than to be ourselves rather than conform to something we are not. Instead he pushed the idea of making your own path in life. Emerson was an overall optimist and refused to accept evil. Emerson described human life as consisting with two major elements. These elements are power and form. In order for life to go on the balance between them must be kept. Emerson also argued that experience cannot be reduced to the smallest observable events and then added up to make up life. Instead it’s the whole presents in life and at work though us. He believed that each man served a particular function but that they could still be greater and use self-improvement.

I think that there are some lessons to be learned from what Emerson believed in. It’s not easy to go against the grain and make your own way in a society that stresses conformity. I agree with the argument that everyone is great but can still work on themselves in some way because the moment you believe you are perfect you stop trying. I have always been a fan of the transcendentalism beliefs and values but I don’t think that a relationship with God is necessarily crucial to be an effective transcendentalist. I think that one can achieve this transcendence by trusting their selves and relying on their selves. I think that more people should learn to truest themselves and love and work on themselves more as well. And I agree with him saying that every man serves a particular function. I think too often people feel as if they are worthless when they do have worth if they would just look within themselves and find it. I’m not sure that I agree with him on power and form being the two major elements though. I mean it is definitely an interesting concept but I’m not completely convinced on it. Neither am I convinced that someone who has naturally bad impulses should accept themselves that way. In my opinion, he did get his views on experience right though. Small moments don’t give us experience in life, the whole presence works through us and teaches us. And we have a lot to learn.



Part 2
The Transcendentalists as a whole focused on the power of nature. In Emerson’s work Nature he explains that all of our questions about the order of the universe (God, man, and nature) can be answered by our experience of life and the world around us. Emerson argued that nature is not around us but instead, within us. We are not just a part of nature but it works though us. He believed that each individual is a manifestation of creation and as such holds the key to unlocking the mysteries of the universe. We have the power to discover great things and with the help of nature we could find the answers to all of the questions we had.

These beliefs are quite rare now days. With the rise of technology and more people living in big cities, nature doesn’t seem to take a big priority in modern life. We spend a lot of our time inside focused on things that are happening on the internet and around the world instead of the things right in front of us. We distract ourselves from the things that really matter. We don’t stop to smell the flowers or take off our shoes and run our feet through the grass. People don’t walk outside as much or spend time at the park. So many people are stressed, depressed, and anxious. While I don’t think that nature can completely solve mental illness, I do think that in a strange way nature helps. It is scientifically proven that those who spend more time outside leisurely live longer and tend to be happier. When in nature it seems like all of your problems drift away and it is as if you are weightless. Nature has a way of grounding us and bringing us back down to earth. It reminds us that the world is bigger than us and that there is a bigger purpose and design in life. Nature is so devine and mysterious. It and has a way of lifting your spirit in unexplainable ways. In the words of Emerson himself: “In the presence of nature, a wild delight runs through the man, in spite of real sorrows. Nature says, -- he is my creature, and maugre all his impertinent griefs, he shall be glad with me.” This intense passion towards nature and all that it has to offer is inspiring to me. I think that we should all follow in Emerson’s footsteps and go outside more. Instead of going to the gym, go on a run outside. Stop spending your days inside watching tv or browsing social media. Instead go on a walk in the park, or hiking, or even just sit outside and breath in the fresh air. Take time to smell the flowers and walk barefoot in the grass. Go for a swim in the river or lake. Walk in Emerson’s footsteps and enjoy all that nature has to offer!



Part 1: https://cophilosophy.blogspot.com/2018/04/emersons-life-lessons.html#comment-form


Comment: https://cophilosophy.blogspot.com/2018/04/1st-installment-what-does-one-perceive.html

Comment: https://cophilosophy.blogspot.com/2018/04/lauren-gage-3-every-day-are-presented.html

1 comment:

  1. But if you swim in the sea, watch out for fins.

    Seriously: I agree, Emerson's love of nature is infectious and inspiring... even, or perhaps especially, without all the metaphysical/transcendental overburden.

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