Emerson’s Unifying Philosophy Essay - 1143 Words

Throughout human existence, scholars have earnestly pursued knowledge and the attainment of truth. Historical figures such as Plato, Descartes, and Emerson sought answers to daunting questions of: ‘What is truth?’; ‘What is reality?’; ‘How is wisdom acquired?’ Many scholars believe these philosophers presented conflicting viewpoints: Plato encouraging skepticism among all previous historical, cultural, and personal perspectives; Descartes questioning definitions of reality and his very existence; Emerson encouraging self-trust and confidence in one’s ideals, opinions, and convictions. Surprisingly, reconciliation can be reached from these three differing hypotheses. Emerson’s thesis merely expounds from Descartes and Plato’s†¦show more content†¦Descartes’ revelation establishes a confidence of his existence. His meditations of reality and personal identity provide Emerson a foundation to perceive the co ncept of ‘self-trust’. Emerson’s exploration and definition of ‘self-trust’ merge his philosophies with those of Descartes and Plato. First and foremost, Emerson indicates a distinction between ‘Man Thinking’ and ‘thinkers’. Emerson argues thinkers â€Å"start wrong, [and] set out from accepted dogmas† giving no credence to â€Å"their own sight of principles† (Emerson 126). Contrastingly, ‘Man Thinking’ indicates action; Emerson clarifies â€Å"[Man Thinking] looks forward: the eyes of man are set in his forehead, not in his hindhead: man hopes: genius creates† (Emerson 127). Emerson argues one engages in self-trust by creating instead of being shaped by accepted assumptions and ideals. Furthermore, Emerson asserts the essential application of knowledge. Action propels scholar’s ideals forward and without it, â€Å"thought can never ripen into truth† (Emerson 128). Ac tion, Emerson argues, enables â€Å"the transition through which [the preamble of thought] passes from the unconscious to the conscious† (Emerson 128). Becoming ‘Man Thinking’ is only possible through application of thought, and only then, is one able to exercise trust in personal beliefs, ideals, and perspectives. Additionally, Emerson argues childhood and life experiences develop wisdom and understandingShow MoreRelatedChristopher Johnson Mccandless s Transcendentalism2535 Words   |  11 Pagesmeaning of it with the quote, â€Å"This philosophy, which rested on the premise of a unifying transcendent or spiritual energy that generated all reality and held it in unity, came to be known as transcendentalism† (Robinson 1173). It’s basically about human-being related to the reality of invisible interspace of living. In order to strenuously insist this idea, Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau wrote several articles that reveal their transce ndentalisms. Emerson’s idea about self-reliance describedRead MoreHenry David Thoreau Essay3362 Words   |  14 Pagesmarket. It was also at this time in his life that David Henry had his name changed to Henry David. In time, Thoreau became good friends with R.W. Emerson and Emerson took on the role of Thoreaus mentor. Thoreau found support in Emersons individualism and philosophies. Both men took a transcendental view of the world. In 1839, Thoreau and his brother John reopened the Concord Academy. They then took a boating trip on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers to Hooksett, New Hampshire, and to Mount WashingtonRead MoreHow Fa Has the Use of English Language Enriched or Disrupted Life and Culture in Mauritius15928 Words   |  64 Pagesmany characteristics of the human condition. He discusses human emotion, death, and mankind’s relationship with nature as a way to sanctify the individual and to distinguish the individual from the masses. Walt Whitman was very much aware of the philosophy of transcendentalism, the ideology which prizes individual self-knowledge as the key to true understanding. In Part 16, he describes what it means to be human by highlighting the solidarity that he himself feels with mankind. â€Å"I am of old and youngRead MoreStrategic Human Resource Management View.Pdf Uploaded Successfully133347 Words   |  534 Pagesand financial returns. Management Values Fundamental values must be addressed in many human resource issues, particularly those involved in major strategic initiatives. When senior managers formulate and implement strategies, their values and philosophies are communicated to members of the organization through human resource policies and practices.7 For example, senior managers who are Page 6 STRATEGIC HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT Section One committed to the preservation of the organization’s