Lev Ginsburg
Debate Essays
Emerson's Individualism
Emerson's "transcendentalism" is essentially a romantic individualism, a philosophy of life for a new people who had overthrown their colonial governors and set about conquering a new continent, in hopes of establishing new and unique views. Though Emerson is not a traditional philosopher, the tendency of his thought is toward inward reflection in which soul and intuition, or inspiration, are fundamental. The new American needed less criticism and a rejuvenated sense of personal inspiration. Taking a practical and democratic, yet philosophic interest in all of nature and in individuals of every walk of life. Emerson stresses the potential for genius and creativity in all people.
It is a source of creative insight within which Emerson identifies as divine. According to Emerson, "Mind is the only reality of which men and all other natures are better or worse reflectors." For Emerson, "intuition" is the capability of seeing things......
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Approximate Word Count: 943
Approximate Pages: 4 (260 words per double-spaced page) |