In American Studies class we read part of Ralph Waldo Emerson's Self Reliance. Emerson, a transcendentalist, believed that all people should voice their thoughts and accept them as fact, regardless of societies approval. On top of this, he believed that accepting ideals that a person does not truly believe in to fit into society is both ignorant and cowardly. What I am wondering, is how far Emerson truly believes in these ideals?
All of the people in my class remember, even if only vaguely, the September 11th terrorist attacks. The only things I remember were the fear, chaos, and mystery that I was seeing. In Barack Obama's speech on the election night, he talked about how he and his administration would defeat all those who have tried to destroy the world. I would like to know what Emerson would say to the beliefs and thoughts of these people.
The idea that Emerson seemed to give off in our reading that everyone, no matter what beliefs they have, should live those beliefs out, but what I would like to know is if Emerson thought that peoples beliefs were wrong. I do agree with some of what Emerson says, that people should not conform to the common beliefs of a society just to fit in, but I do not feel that every belief is good. Would He agree with Barack's belief about defeating those who have tried to destroy the world? This is where Emerson has left a void. Can a transcendentalist say that everyone's beliefs are right, even just for the individual person? Would Emerson say that the killing of people is justified because of what the killers thought was right? Maybe he believed that everyone should accept their own thoughts as truth, but taking action on those thoughts may be another story. I found the reading so interesting because of the absolute nature of the beliefs. Do you think that a belief justifies actions?
3 comments:
t I do agree that Emerson's belief that all men should voice their opinions can be extravangant because not all opinions are good but we shouldnt take the thoughts of emerson into extravagant examples as mr.lawler said in class
There will always be exceptions to Emerson's beliefs like the "serial killer" example Mr. Lawler gave in class.
More importantly, though, I think that Emerson falls in the same category as Voltaire, who said something along the lines of: "I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to death your right to say it." Although Emerson might not agree with Obama or with anyone else for that matter, he certainly makes it clear that it is best man to stick up for himself and his beliefs and to follow HIS mind.
Very interesting point to make. I didn't think to question what Emmerson would say to those who had ideas that were dangerous or otherwise harmful to society. If all ideas are worth sharing, perhaps he would view them as something to consider?
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