Emerson - Self Reliance
"What I must do, is all that concerns me, not what the people think"
Paraphrase: I have to do what is best for me regardless of what other people think
This quote has extreme importance and validity to many different aspects of real life. Again, it is saying that one needs to do what is best for oneself. It is important to clarify that this excerpt is not saying to ignore everyone else, but is emphasizing the importance of not throwing away one's accomplishments for people/things that are not worth them. This quote has really been a part of my personal life to this point. It has served as the moral to many of life's lessons for me. For example, I had to take the SAT on the day after Halloween. There was a party at my friend's house that I could have gone to but I didn't because I needed to do well on the SAT for college and for my future. We all need to look at the bigger scope of things when facing decisions like this and Emerson and I believe if we do we will make the right decision.
Thsi quote goes along with Emerson's beliefs of self-reliance, individualism, and a questioning-mind. Emerson stresses throughout his essays to look at what is best for you and not to fall victim to what he calls the "conspiracy of society." He claims that society attempts to control individual thought and tries to conform everyone to a single standard. Emerson says we need to fight this. This is evident from the quote, "Society everywhere is in conspiracy against the manhood of everyone of its memebers." He is specifically saying here that everyone who is part of society contributes to this "conspiracy" that is trying to conform and limit the "integrity of the mind."
Emerson came after the period of the Enlightenment but was undoubtedly influenced by the writings and values of that era. People like Rousseau and Voltaire also advocated for individualism. Voltaire concentrated his energy on the individualism of the mind to choose one's own beliefs and religion as he was a steadfast supporter of religious tolerance. Rousseau focused his efforts of individualism to promote true democracy and the will of the majority as he said that people had the ability to govern themselves without a monarch.
In conclusion, Emerson's beliefs of individualism and free thought are clear throughout his writings and are shared with many other great philosophers. We are now able to think freely and openly and it is mostly because of people liek Rousseau , Voltaire, Emerson, Jefferson, and many more heroic and revolutionary people. It is important not to take for granted these freedoms and we need to use them to the fullest extent possible. Like Emerson said, we should all think for ourselves and decide what is right and what is wrong in our own minds.
2 comments:
Before commenting on your post, I am not sure that all of your examples completely support Emerson’s individualist philosophy. For example, Rousseau completely contradicts individualism with his concept of the general will, which states that the best form of government, sometimes called “totalitarian democracy,” cannot exist with minorities opposing the will of the majority: a statement which contradicts individualism
Although there are some factual corrections needed, I agree with the idea you share with Emerson in that “society is a conspiracy” for the most part. Peer pressure often degrades a person’s motivation to be individualistic. Societal norms can often encourage overly materialistic behavior, which can obscure one’s meaning of true success at times.
As Emerson says in another quotation, a “great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude.” One cannot actually be individualistic unless one is interacting with society. Society consists of the majority of people, and it very hard to reach one’s goals without society as a catalyst. In our system of government, one must rely on society’s approval to reach the top of the political ladder. All rising businessmen, inventors, and writers must appeal to society to some degree to become respected and affect more people by their beliefs. Although society can be a deadly disease, it is important to recognize that society, in appropriate doses, can also be a medicine.
Hey George,
I really liked your blog about Emerson's quote on self reliance. When I read this quote I found myself almost confused. I was confused because he is telling us that everything we do and involve ourselves in should rely completley on us. Yet, that does not mean that we should exclude others' opinion and thoughts.
I agree, we cannot fall victim to what the society throws upon us and expects of us. We must continue to seek what is best for our situation and our position in life.
I also really liked your connection to Emersons position at the time of his writtings. He was influence by other writers and he grew as a writer by basing ideals and themes on those influences.
Overall, we must rely on our opinions but at the same time not take for grated the opinion of those around us.
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