Transendentalism through Franklin Emerson and Thoreau
Daniel Higgins September13, 2000Transcending Life by Adapting the Concepts of Franklin, Emerson, and ThoreauEveryone one of us struggles daily to survive in a manner befitting our individual beliefs, hopes, aspirations, dreams, and goals. There is not a universal code on how exactly we should go about doing this. Benjamin Franklin, Henry Thoreau, and Waldo Emerson were some of the most unique thinkers influencing the way of thinking in America. Their concepts where simplistic in nature, with underlying themes based on Transcendentalism. Transcendentalism is defined as an individual "transcending" their senses and gaining a better understanding of beauty, good, and truth through activities such as work, art, and being at one with nature. A course in "life" should enable an individual to maintain individuality while at the same time contributing to the good of the whole. Applying many concepts on life adapted by Franklin, Thoreau, and Emerson will allow an individual to reach their potential to live the best life they possibly can. "Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that's the stuff life is made of" (Franklin). Benjamin Franklin had many simple concepts that he lived b
We should as a society take a lesson from Thoreau, and remember what is truly important rather than committing our lives to extravagant material possessions which in reality do us no good. It is the pith and marrow of every substance, every relation, and every process" (Emerson). We as humans need to respect the intricate inter-workings of nature, and how this process allows us to survive on this planet. We spend our lives in the constant struggle to obtain symbols of wealth, happiness, and prosperity, only to find that these things only make us poor, sad, and desolate. We need to separate ourselves from the daily distractions that plague our life, and become "in tune" with nature. We should use the rest of our efforts bettering ourselves and society. Parallel to his views on modern society, is Thoreau's non-conformist view of how government should be. Their hard work, integrity, and search for truth, beauty, and wisdom through a transcendental nature enabled them to reach full potential as human beings on this planet. What we loose site of is the importance of finding the answers. Thoreau believed that society would benefit from adhering to these principles. I am not alone and not unacknowledged" (Emerson). These concepts should be applied in our lives, as we should all strive to remember what is truly important.
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