Ralph Waldo Emerson's Good Life
Emerson’s Good Life (1)
“Do not seek yourself, outside yourself (Emerson 211).” Emerson suggests that we should live life based on our own intuitions. He proposes that we should live life coexisting in society without conforming to it. “Whoso be a man, must be a nonconformist (214).” Coexisting in society allows us to lead a life of our own inhibitions and desires. We should live a life for ourselves, not as though we live in a theater and our life is a play. Turning inward, one can find something greater. “It is easy in the world to live after the world’s opinion; it is easy in solitude to live after our own; but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude (215).” Emerson makes a distinction between reality, one’s natural self, and appearance, society. The realm of reality, according to Emerson, includes truth, inner self, intuition, and divine spirit. In contrast appearance is made up of society, illusion, gossip, and falsity. Those who choose to conform to society are forced into artificial behavior that is regarded as appropriate or acceptable. Therefore they are not being true to one’s self and are allowing society to choose their dreams. …show more content…
Considering Emerson’s view that he must do all that concerns him and not others, Buber may question his views as a subjectivist. Buber speaks of the Rabbi who sees the “road to redemption as a process involving two kinds of men, the proud who,...think of themselves, and the humble, who in all that matters think of the world. Only when pride subjects itself to humility can it be redeemed; and only when it is redeemed can the world be redeemed (293).” Therefore Emerson’s view of self-love, according to Buber are sin, and can only be redeem through humility and focus on
“Do not seek yourself, outside yourself (Emerson 211).” Emerson suggests that we should live life based on our own intuitions. He proposes that we should live life coexisting in society without conforming to it. “Whoso be a man, must be a nonconformist (214).” Coexisting in society allows us to lead a life of our own inhibitions and desires. We should live a life for ourselves, not as though we live in a theater and our life is a play. Turning inward, one can find something greater. “It is easy in the world to live after the world’s opinion; it is easy in solitude to live after our own; but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude (215).” Emerson makes a distinction between reality, one’s natural self, and appearance, society. The realm of reality, according to Emerson, includes truth, inner self, intuition, and divine spirit. In contrast appearance is made up of society, illusion, gossip, and falsity. Those who choose to conform to society are forced into artificial behavior that is regarded as appropriate or acceptable. Therefore they are not being true to one’s self and are allowing society to choose their dreams. …show more content…
Considering Emerson’s view that he must do all that concerns him and not others, Buber may question his views as a subjectivist. Buber speaks of the Rabbi who sees the “road to redemption as a process involving two kinds of men, the proud who,...think of themselves, and the humble, who in all that matters think of the world. Only when pride subjects itself to humility can it be redeemed; and only when it is redeemed can the world be redeemed (293).” Therefore Emerson’s view of self-love, according to Buber are sin, and can only be redeem through humility and focus on