Following on from previous discussions where we
identified the few philosophers that were of appeal and influence to Frederick
Nietzsche, one that was identified was Ralph Waldo Emerson. Nietzsche had
remarked he never felt more comfortable reading the work of Emerson who was
known as the father figure of the transcendental movement. Like the
existentialists the transcendentalists was a movement rather than a philosophy
whose core beliefs, amongst other things, embraced the idea of individualism or
self-reliance to rally against any form of societal pressure to conformity.
Individualism in this context posits each person
has the power through introspection and one’s free will to move beyond the
physical world into the spiritual realm, to determine an ethical existence or
higher mode of thinking.
In this respect Emerson was in the same mould as
Hegel who proposed the idea of the thinking spirit that influenced each
subsequent generation in a positive manner exemplified in history. So we learn
from history as each generation expands upon the thinking spirit that came
before it. The problem with this philosophy of course is that society and its
traditions inevitably can have corrupting influences and one might query if
indeed wisdom has gained momentum over the centuries. Furthermore can we say
that history can reflect the true influences as to what transpired and its
accompanying reasons? The answer to these difficulties for the
transcendentalists was one rejected the societal influences and religious norms
to a simpler more enlightened state in tune with reverence for nature. It
wasn't a question of ignoring history, quite to the contrary, but more a matter
of accepting differ perspectives in a continuous process. That type of
philosophy is in common with Baruch Spinoza who saw GOD in nature which is
known as pantheism. Hence there is no need for intermediaries as one reverts to
see the beauty of nature in all its abundance. As such Emerson was an idealist
who believed one is corrupted by the needs to conform to society and it’s evils
to rally against slavery and the materialistic world. It’s easy to see why this
approach was appealing to Nietzsche’s philosophy of overcoming and
self-reliance.
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)
admirers included the poet Walt Whitman. He also collaborated with Henry David
Thoreau, to establish environmental literature with Walden.
Initially he was a Unitarian Minister, after
graduating from the divinity faculty at Harvard University. He only lasted a
few years in this position to become a popular philosopher who gained
prominence with his essays, entitled “Self-reliance” “History” “ The Over Soul”
and “Fate”.
Influences
His influences were from English and German
romanticism and Hinduism.
He is seen by some to be a precursor to
existentialism. To reiterate he was a lifelong friend of Henry David Thoreau
and inspired the likes of Herman Melville, a fellow transcendentalist, in his
epic novel Moby Dick. But we might find some criticism in Moby-Dick; or,
the whale, as Herman Melville was both drawn and opposed to the ideas of Ralph
Waldo Emerson and possibly rejected his idealism.
On education- we learn from books, nature and
actions.
According to Emerson, what you do in terms of
actions to be taken determine what you continue to believe to avoid the perils
of procrastination and be too trapped in the societal views of the time.
He summed up his thinking by saying that the whole
of the world is needed for the education of one person. It is the approach
he talks about education on the basis of seeing and examining the world from as
many different perspectives as possible.
Hence Emerson might be regarded as a process
philosopher whose religious ideas are grounded in pantheism, which regards GOD
as resplendent in all facets of nature but could only be experienced in an
ongoing involvement in the present.
Eastern Influences
When he was at Harvard he studied many books related to Eastern and Western
Philosophies including Hindu philosophies.
The Hindu Books he studied were the Gita,
Upanishads, Manu, Vedas and Vishnu. Hence many of his ideas bear a similarity
to the concepts of Hinduism. In Hindu philosophy a physical universe of
sense-perception existence as was proposed by David Hume is not considered
reality. Rather it is the Brahman- the Infinite Being or in other possible ways
of expressing it such ome might reference the idea of a Cosmic Mind, Universal
Consciousness or Absolute. In other words the universe and mind are finite
manifestations of a Universal Mind and our worldly interactions are linked to
this Ultimate Reality which is the basis of our consciousness. Emerson got many
of his ideas in his Essay entitled “The Over Soul”, from this source.
In the same mould Albert Schweitzer was also
attracted to the idea of an oneness which he said that the “Brahmins, taught as
a great secret the mysticism of the identity of the souls of all beings and all things with
the Universal Soul. According to this mysticism all that is of the nature of
soul belongs to the Universal Soul. Man carries the Universal Soul within him. And because the Universal
Soul dwells in all Being, it finds its own self again in all beings, in the
life of plants as in the life of gods. This is the meaning of the famous Tat
twam asi (That thou art thyself) of the Upanishads."
Emerson’s Over-soul was also matched up to Brahman
in this Upanishad concept as explained in the Gita. Schweitzer went on to
develop his concept of reverence for life.
Selfhood
Hence, both Emerson and Thoreau and were both
influenced by the notion of selfhood found in Hindu which led Emerson to
publish his essay entitled “over Soul”.
To reiterate the Upanishads shows that
the Self is the eternal person, representing the
inner
Self of all things. Hence the idea in Hindu
philosophy is of a constant rotation of birth and deaths so that by dignity and
actions the soul eventually combines into Brahma.
Other influences came from Chinese philosophy and
Persian poetry.
Emerson also was drawn to Chinese Daoism, which saw
nature as a purifying force.
Lasting legacy
Although the transcendentalist’s movement was
relatively short lived it did shape the philosophical underpinnings of America,
more particularly in relation to the literature and philosophy of Emerson.
Chief amongst modern day adherents was John Dewy. Dewy incorporated
democratic ideals into a merged ideal of liberty based on education and shared
values that relied on self-reliance but we’re not tied to any strict religious
ideologies but rather more inclined to a comprehensive narrative based
principally on utilitarianism. The late Richard Rorty as a modern day pragmatic
philosopher, who rejected the idea of analytical philosophy did see merit in
the idea of intuition and the more comprehensive narrative suggested by Emerson
and the transcendentalists to underpin progress.
Hence Emerson and the transcendentalists helped
shape American philosophical thought which remains embedded in some aspects of
the Democratic Party even today.
Quotes on life
This is my wish for you: Comfort on difficult days, smiles when sadness
intrudes, rainbows to follow the clouds, laughter to kiss your lips, sunsets to
warm your heart, hugs when spirits sag, beauty for your eyes to see,
friendships to brighten your being, faith so that you can believe, confidence
for when you doubt, courage to know yourself, patience to accept the truth,
Love to complete your life.
To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying
to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.
For every minute you are angry you lose sixty
seconds of happiness.
Finish each day and be done with it.
Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in
rising up every time we fail.
Live in the sunshine, swim in the sea, and drink
the wild air.
Without ambition one starts nothing. ...
Nothing great was ever achieved without
enthusiasm.”
Life is a journey, not a destination.
Conclusion
Emerson was a philosopher ahead of his time who
posed interesting questions as to what it means to be human. He attempted to
marry eastern contemplative philosophy with analytical western style thinking.
Whether that works or not makes for an interesting discussion. I think an
analysis of his philosophy hopefully sheds some light into the American
libertarian way of thinking.
