Emerson and Transcendentalism

Ignorant Significance

Transcendentalism is the philosophical ideas of Emerson and some other 19th-century

New Englanders; based on a search for reality through spiritual intuition, or knowledge things without conscious reasoning. There are many questions asked that do not really have an actual answer. Emerson was a doctrinaire in transcendentalism. He targetes his messages toward the youth. He tought that every individual is basically good, can make rational decisions, and is worty of respect. If these three steps were followed the world would be more pleasant.

In the Self-Reliance Emerson said "I do not wish to expiate, but to live"

(Emerson). Emerson believes that the world only does what is good when they feel they have done something wrong (as if some way to right their wrong). They become charitiable when a stage is set and put on a show. He refuses to be what other people want him to be, and encourages others to follow him. Basically, people do not do deeds without there being some type of reward or personal pleasure in return, no matter how small or big it is.

"You will always find those who think they know what is your duty better than you know it" (Emerson). Emerson found it that every one is capable of making their own decisions. No one should be try to force another to do anything they do not want to do themself. People who make their own decisions and fail learn from thier mistakes. This way they have no one to blame, or thank, but themselves.

Emerson did not care for the opinions of the world, and clearly states that troughout

Self-Reliance. "What I must do is all that concerns me, not what the people think" (Emerson). An individual should be able to do what ever they need to do without having to worry about what every one else thinks. The world is self conscious. If they would just follow Emersons three rules they would have no reason