the spirit of individualism

The Spirit of The Spirit of IndividualismIndividualism

American TranscendentalismAmerican Transcendentalism

1. Transcendentalism is a form of philosophical 1. Transcendentalism is a form of philosophical idealism (Platonic). Basically, the means of living your idealism (Platonic). Basically, the means of living your life according to…life according to…

2. The transcendentalist rises above the lower 2. The transcendentalist rises above the lower animalistic impulses in life, as well as the cultural animalistic impulses in life, as well as the cultural restrictions of society, and moves from the rational to a restrictions of society, and moves from the rational to a spiritual realm.spiritual realm.

3. God or the Life Force in the universe can be found 3. God or the Life Force in the universe can be found everywhere, thus no need for churches or holyeverywhere, thus no need for churches or holyplaces.places.


4. God can be found in both 4. God can be found in both naturenature and human and human nature. God is not super human being but a spirit nature. God is not super human being but a spirit in us all.in us all.

5. Every person possesses the "inner light" of 5. Every person possesses the "inner light" of God, which must be nourished to sustain us.God, which must be nourished to sustain us.

6. Every person possesses "6. Every person possesses "intuitionintuition," an ," an essentialist understanding of right and wrong essentialist understanding of right and wrong (moral action). (moral action).


7. Culture and society tend to corrupt our intuition, 7. Culture and society tend to corrupt our intuition, establishing other determiners for morality and truthestablishing other determiners for morality and truth(church, government, peer groups, etc.) that deny (church, government, peer groups, etc.) that deny us our own truths.us our own truths.

8. Thinking helps us to actualize the authority of our 8. Thinking helps us to actualize the authority of our intuition. Thus, we feel what's right/wrong; then we intuition. Thus, we feel what's right/wrong; then we know what's right/wrong.know what's right/wrong.

9. Learning can also aid intuition and connect us to 9. Learning can also aid intuition and connect us to nature, resulting in the drive for nature, resulting in the drive for self-culture-self-culture---learning new ideas and skills.learning new ideas and skills.


10. However, the past, in terms of learning and knowledge, should not 10. However, the past, in terms of learning and knowledge, should not limit or define who we are today. The material world is influx; the limit or define who we are today. The material world is influx; the spiritual realm (fixed) manifests itself in different ways over time. spiritual realm (fixed) manifests itself in different ways over time. Hence, emphasis on the here and now.Hence, emphasis on the here and now.

11. We should live close to nature, for it is our greatest teacher. 11. We should live close to nature, for it is our greatest teacher. Nature is emblematic, and understanding its "language" can bring us Nature is emblematic, and understanding its "language" can bring us closer to God . Poets know this, and they write in the language of closer to God . Poets know this, and they write in the language of nature, helping us to connect our lives to the spiritual realm. They nature, helping us to connect our lives to the spiritual realm. They replace the priests and ministers of the church.replace the priests and ministers of the church.

12. Individualism lies at the heart of Transcendentalism. Every 12. Individualism lies at the heart of Transcendentalism. Every individual needs to be self-reliant and thus not depend upon others if individual needs to be self-reliant and thus not depend upon others if he or she is to be free and to live life fully. Self-empowered is he or she is to be free and to live life fully. Self-empowered is attained by defying the authority of "empty" conventions and attained by defying the authority of "empty" conventions and senseless rules. senseless rules.


13. The Bible was written for people in the past and may 13. The Bible was written for people in the past and may offer some transcending lessons. But it is not the word of offer some transcending lessons. But it is not the word of God, or the ultimate authority on how to live your life.God, or the ultimate authority on how to live your life.

14. Jesus had God in him too, like all of us, but he was not 14. Jesus had God in him too, like all of us, but he was not God. In many ways, though, he taught valuable lessons God. In many ways, though, he taught valuable lessons and lived a transcendent life, which should be and lived a transcendent life, which should be studied. The miracles of the Bible are doubted in terms of studied. The miracles of the Bible are doubted in terms of uniqueness; the universe around us everyday is full of the uniqueness; the universe around us everyday is full of the miracles of nature.miracles of nature.

15. Evil (dark) is the absence of good (light), but good is 15. Evil (dark) is the absence of good (light), but good is more powerful. more powerful. The law of compensation The law of compensation means that means that good will always arise from evil.good will always arise from evil.

Ralph Waldo Emerson’sRalph Waldo Emerson’s“Self-Reliance”“Self-Reliance”

1. 1. "Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron "Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron stringstring." Divine Providence runs." Divine Providence runs through through each of us, each of us, taking the shape of taking the shape of intuition--the "primary wisdomintuition--the "primary wisdom." ." The world has a transcendent destiny, and we are The world has a transcendent destiny, and we are "noble clay plastic under the Almighty effort.""noble clay plastic under the Almighty effort."

2. "2. "Whoso would be a man must be a non-Whoso would be a man must be a non-conformistconformist." You are sacred, and so is your mind. ." You are sacred, and so is your mind. However, society retards your growth, inhibits you, However, society retards your growth, inhibits you, and prevents you from fulfilling your destiny. If you live and prevents you from fulfilling your destiny. If you live "after the world's opinion," or what people think, your "after the world's opinion," or what people think, your life will become "an apology." The past is the past; life will become "an apology." The past is the past; you're living now in the future--everything is new and you're living now in the future--everything is new and different. different.


3. "3. "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines."divines." Following the rules made by others may Following the rules made by others may make you safe from the displeasure of others, but it make you safe from the displeasure of others, but it isn't fulfilling. If you do this, you're NOT living your life isn't fulfilling. If you do this, you're NOT living your life but the life of others. Don't let the hobgoblin of but the life of others. Don't let the hobgoblin of conformity scare you into compliance. "Always scorn conformity scare you into compliance. "Always scorn appearances." Insist on yourself; never imitate."appearances." Insist on yourself; never imitate."

4. "4. "Be it known unto you that henceforward I obey no Be it known unto you that henceforward I obey no law less than the eternal law.law less than the eternal law." Defy authority, " Defy authority, including governmental and religious, that is not in including governmental and religious, that is not in accord with your intuition. Wow, a dangerous idea.accord with your intuition. Wow, a dangerous idea.


5. 5. Self-cultureSelf-culture: This is the basic principle for all : This is the basic principle for all the Transcendentalists. It means many things the Transcendentalists. It means many things but foremost, two things: 1. Don't depend on but foremost, two things: 1. Don't depend on others. Learn how to do things so that you others. Learn how to do things so that you aren't owing and in the control of others. 2. aren't owing and in the control of others. 2. Knowledge of the world around us is the best Knowledge of the world around us is the best means for our understanding ourselves in the means for our understanding ourselves in the universe--self-aware and self-reliant. Thoreau universe--self-aware and self-reliant. Thoreau will spent 2 years at Walden Pond showing us will spent 2 years at Walden Pond showing us self-culture in action.self-culture in action.

Emerson's "The Poet"Emerson's "The Poet"Basic PrinciplesBasic Principles

1. The poet is representative man: Composite 1. The poet is representative man: Composite of of all all of a culture's people. of a culture's people.

2. The poet is the interpreter, the sayer, the 2. The poet is the interpreter, the sayer, the namer (Adam), the language maker for a namer (Adam), the language maker for a democratic people (reflects call for a "national" democratic people (reflects call for a "national" American literature). Words are actions that American literature). Words are actions that guide us and connect us in life.guide us and connect us in life.

3. Nature is a picture language, symbolic, 3. Nature is a picture language, symbolic, emblems. Words are signs of natural facts that emblems. Words are signs of natural facts that attach us to spiritual world.attach us to spiritual world.

Emerson's "The Poet"Emerson's "The Poet"Basic PrinciplesBasic Principles

4. Nature is the healer of our suffering caused by a 4. Nature is the healer of our suffering caused by a divided self--alienated from yourself. The return to divided self--alienated from yourself. The return to nature is our salvation. Poets put us in contact with the nature is our salvation. Poets put us in contact with the timeless, eternal truths. timeless, eternal truths.

5. The poet is a liberating god, who replaces ministers 5. The poet is a liberating god, who replaces ministers and priests. and priests.

However, Emerson says at the end that he looks "in However, Emerson says at the end that he looks "in vain for the poet whom I describe." Remember these vain for the poet whom I describe." Remember these things when we get to Whitman.things when we get to Whitman.

Henry David Thoreau: Henry David Thoreau: WaldenWalden

"Economy""Economy"

Thoreau's intention in writing Walden was to "actualize" some of the Thoreau's intention in writing Walden was to "actualize" some of the basic principles of Transcendentalism. Two of those principles are basic principles of Transcendentalism. Two of those principles are self-self-culture and self-relianceculture and self-reliance--concepts related to Emerson discussed --concepts related to Emerson discussed above. Thoreau went to Walden to learn how to live: above. Thoreau went to Walden to learn how to live:

"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front "I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.“lived.“

Nature is his schoolhouse for developing and exercising the habits of Nature is his schoolhouse for developing and exercising the habits of self-culture. However, he writes self-culture. However, he writes WaldenWalden not as a blueprint for others not as a blueprint for others to follow blindly but as an example of how others may find their to follow blindly but as an example of how others may find their own wayown way. He does not want to make copies of himself but instead . He does not want to make copies of himself but instead inspire originals. Furthermore, his audience is certainly not the happy, inspire originals. Furthermore, his audience is certainly not the happy, spiritual fulfilled individual who loves her job and is living an authentic spiritual fulfilled individual who loves her job and is living an authentic life. Thoreau is directing his views toward those "men who live lives of life. Thoreau is directing his views toward those "men who live lives of quiet desperation." This is one reason why his book became so popular quiet desperation." This is one reason why his book became so popular in the industrialized age of the 20th century. in the industrialized age of the 20th century.


--The Divided Self:--The Divided Self:Thoreau recognizes two aspects of human nature in Thoreau recognizes two aspects of human nature in the search for selfhood: 1. Spiritual (flows from God the search for selfhood: 1. Spiritual (flows from God through nature) 2. Material: Contact with the self through nature) 2. Material: Contact with the self through worldly interaction (material needs). In his through worldly interaction (material needs). In his chapter, "Economy," he tells us that our life is an chapter, "Economy," he tells us that our life is an economy, measurable in quantity and quality, and economy, measurable in quantity and quality, and connected to the number of days we live. We "spend" connected to the number of days we live. We "spend" our life constantly, and the questions are: What's the our life constantly, and the questions are: What's the return? What do we gain from living? Are we living the return? What do we gain from living? Are we living the life that we want for ourselves or someone else's life? life that we want for ourselves or someone else's life? Are we living a spiritual existence?Are we living a spiritual existence?


--Freedom from materialism--Freedom from materialism::

Our material needs are many, perhaps too many. Our material needs are many, perhaps too many. Materialism is a system of controls that rules our lives. Materialism is a system of controls that rules our lives. Thoreau divides those needs into four categories and then Thoreau divides those needs into four categories and then tries to show that the demands made by these needs tries to show that the demands made by these needs control us. We must work to make the money to support control us. We must work to make the money to support this materialism. If we reduce our dependency on this materialism. If we reduce our dependency on materialism, we gain freedom to explore who and what we materialism, we gain freedom to explore who and what we are (self-culture). That freedom requires only one principle: are (self-culture). That freedom requires only one principle: SIMPLIFY--get rid of the useless baggage that holds us SIMPLIFY--get rid of the useless baggage that holds us down. Sure, own things but don't let them own you. In down. Sure, own things but don't let them own you. In addition, he tells us to learn to be self-reliant so that we addition, he tells us to learn to be self-reliant so that we don't have to owe others for our material existence.don't have to owe others for our material existence.


--The principle of simplify applied: --The principle of simplify applied:

1. Food:1. Food: Much of Much of WaldenWalden concerns growing and eating food--our concerns growing and eating food--our first and strongest need. The foodstuff that he raises supports the first and strongest need. The foodstuff that he raises supports the "expense" of his whole two-year experiment. It's the basis of his "expense" of his whole two-year experiment. It's the basis of his "economy." He raises much of his own food to support the notion "economy." He raises much of his own food to support the notion of self-reliance. His eating is simple (no expensive meat) so that of self-reliance. His eating is simple (no expensive meat) so that he need not labor too much or too hard to acquire it.he need not labor too much or too hard to acquire it.

2. Shelter2. Shelter: This is our biggest expense--one that puts us in debt : This is our biggest expense--one that puts us in debt for a generation or two. Why bother with ownership that controls for a generation or two. Why bother with ownership that controls your life? Instead, he builds a simple 10 by 15 hut to demonstrate your life? Instead, he builds a simple 10 by 15 hut to demonstrate that it keeps him out of the elements--it serves his need for that it keeps him out of the elements--it serves his need for shelter--and didn't cost much. Others labor most of their lives to shelter--and didn't cost much. Others labor most of their lives to support their "mansion" in Orland Park. support their "mansion" in Orland Park.


3. Clothing: 3. Clothing: All you need are two sets of clothing and one pair of All you need are two sets of clothing and one pair of shoes. Clothing serves two purposes: warmth and modesty. The rest shoes. Clothing serves two purposes: warmth and modesty. The rest is "changing style," which never ceases to keep you buying and using is "changing style," which never ceases to keep you buying and using that VISA card at Field's (Macy's?). Is that Coach purse a real need that VISA card at Field's (Macy's?). Is that Coach purse a real need or a fanciful desire to show off? or a fanciful desire to show off?

4. Fuel: 4. Fuel: Thoreau relates this to food--the body's fuel. We use it to Thoreau relates this to food--the body's fuel. We use it to keep warm and cook our food. Today, we use it for keep warm and cook our food. Today, we use it for everything everything in the in the form of electricity. Without it, we'd collapse. Walden Pond had trees form of electricity. Without it, we'd collapse. Walden Pond had trees that were plentiful. What would Thoreau say about Peoples' Gas? that were plentiful. What would Thoreau say about Peoples' Gas? What would you do in February in Chicago if the gas was suddenly What would you do in February in Chicago if the gas was suddenly turned off? Burn the furniture, Mabel? Solar or thermal power is self-turned off? Burn the furniture, Mabel? Solar or thermal power is self-reliance. The point that Thoreau makes is that these needs can be reliance. The point that Thoreau makes is that these needs can be reduced in our lives; we can be become less dependent on the reduced in our lives; we can be become less dependent on the sources that satisfy these needs. We can simplify our lives, and we sources that satisfy these needs. We can simplify our lives, and we can also learn how to do things ourselves in order cut down the can also learn how to do things ourselves in order cut down the expense that they demand from our living economy. expense that they demand from our living economy.


--The principle of a creating God and man in Nature--The principle of a creating God and man in Nature::

Thoreau tells us that "God himself culminates in the present Thoreau tells us that "God himself culminates in the present moment, and will never be more divine in the lapse of all the moment, and will never be more divine in the lapse of all the ages. And we are enabled to apprehend at all what is ages. And we are enabled to apprehend at all what is sublime and noble only by the perpetual instilling and sublime and noble only by the perpetual instilling and drenching of the reality which surrounds us." In other words, drenching of the reality which surrounds us." In other words, God is not at the ends of time--Alpha/Omega or God is not at the ends of time--Alpha/Omega or creation/judgment--but right here and now. He is all about us creation/judgment--but right here and now. He is all about us and in us too, doing what he has always done-CREATING. and in us too, doing what he has always done-CREATING. Thoreau is reflecting on Emerson's concept of nature "in the Thoreau is reflecting on Emerson's concept of nature "in the common sense," as 1. Nature, that which is unchanged by common sense," as 1. Nature, that which is unchanged by man, God's creating; 2. Art, human creation that changes man, God's creating; 2. Art, human creation that changes what God created into new things. Since we are god-like, what God created into new things. Since we are god-like, created in his image, we carry on his work on earth. created in his image, we carry on his work on earth.


Thus,Thus,

1. God creates in the macro-cosmos (the stars, 1. God creates in the macro-cosmos (the stars, the rivers, the leaves on the tree, etc.)the rivers, the leaves on the tree, etc.)

2. Man creates in the micro-cosmos (the houses, 2. Man creates in the micro-cosmos (the houses, the tools, the babies, the medicines to cure, the tools, the babies, the medicines to cure, etc.) We are co-creators of the world.etc.) We are co-creators of the world.Okay? What happens when we humans co-Okay? What happens when we humans co-create something that ain't so nice? create something that ain't so nice?


--Thoreau--Thoreau: : "I was determined to know beans.""I was determined to know beans."

In order to demonstrate self-reliance and self-culture, In order to demonstrate self-reliance and self-culture, Thoreau supported his enterprise at Walden by raising Thoreau supported his enterprise at Walden by raising beans. Some he ate; some he sold to support himself. beans. Some he ate; some he sold to support himself. He spent time cultivating his beans through his labor, but He spent time cultivating his beans through his labor, but Thoreau wants us to see that through his "work" he was Thoreau wants us to see that through his "work" he was actually growing closer to nature. Since God is immanent actually growing closer to nature. Since God is immanent (in all things in nature), raising beans was a way of (in all things in nature), raising beans was a way of coming to know how the spiritual realm operates in the coming to know how the spiritual realm operates in the material--a form of active worship. In a real sense, this is material--a form of active worship. In a real sense, this is a model for all authentic work in life--work that connects a model for all authentic work in life--work that connects you to the world both spiritually and materially (eating).you to the world both spiritually and materially (eating).

The RailroadThe Railroad

For the Transcendentalists (and others), the For the Transcendentalists (and others), the railroad came to symbolize industrialization railroad came to symbolize industrialization and subsequently the loss of spiritual and subsequently the loss of spiritual connection and control in life. The railroad was connection and control in life. The railroad was the ultimate machine; not restricted to urban the ultimate machine; not restricted to urban centers of commerce and manufacturing, it centers of commerce and manufacturing, it invaded the "garden"--seemingly destroying the invaded the "garden"--seemingly destroying the tranquility and peace of mind needed to live an tranquility and peace of mind needed to live an authentic life. People came to be regulated by authentic life. People came to be regulated by "railroad time," and the loudness and pollution "railroad time," and the loudness and pollution it created seemed inescapable.it created seemed inescapable.


Walden Pond was bordered on the south by the newly Walden Pond was bordered on the south by the newly constructed Fitchburg spur that connected Concord to constructed Fitchburg spur that connected Concord to Boston; it ran a hundred rods away from Thoreau's hut Boston; it ran a hundred rods away from Thoreau's hut in the woods. Throughout in the woods. Throughout Walden, Walden, Thoreau refers to Thoreau refers to the railroad in ways that display his dislike for it. He the railroad in ways that display his dislike for it. He tells us: "We do not ride on the railroad; it rides on us." tells us: "We do not ride on the railroad; it rides on us." In "Sounds," he describes the whistle that screams In "Sounds," he describes the whistle that screams and the clouds of smoke that looks like a comet. "We and the clouds of smoke that looks like a comet. "We have constructed a fate, an Ahropos [Greek fate that have constructed a fate, an Ahropos [Greek fate that cuts the thread of human life], that never turns aside," cuts the thread of human life], that never turns aside," he adds, "But the bell rings, and I must get off the track he adds, "But the bell rings, and I must get off the track and let the cars go by."and let the cars go by."


Thoreau was aware that technological progress was not going to Thoreau was aware that technological progress was not going to be stopped: He gets off the track. However, given his belief that in be stopped: He gets off the track. However, given his belief that in the principle of co-creation (God creates in the macro-cosmos/ the principle of co-creation (God creates in the macro-cosmos/ man in the micro-cosmos), he had to resolve his hatred toward man in the micro-cosmos), he had to resolve his hatred toward this human creation. He does this in a mystical way in "Spring," this human creation. He does this in a mystical way in "Spring," as he watches "the forms which thawing sand and clay assume in as he watches "the forms which thawing sand and clay assume in flowing down the sides of a deep cut on the railroad." This scene flowing down the sides of a deep cut on the railroad." This scene represents the rebirth of life in spring, but it also assumes the represents the rebirth of life in spring, but it also assumes the contours of creation itself as he stands "in the laboratory of the contours of creation itself as he stands "in the laboratory of the Artist [God]Artist [God] who made the world and me. who made the world and me." The railroad " The railroad embankment offers a place for the potential for continued creation; embankment offers a place for the potential for continued creation; its potentiaits potential for good cannot be read at this point for Thoreau. It l for good cannot be read at this point for Thoreau. It may look "excrementitious in its character" now, but it is still a part may look "excrementitious in its character" now, but it is still a part of the creative process of the universe in which "There is nothing of the creative process of the universe in which "There is nothing inorganic." Good may yet come from the railroad. Perhaps. He inorganic." Good may yet come from the railroad. Perhaps. He offers us a curious open-ended resolution to the conflict in thought offers us a curious open-ended resolution to the conflict in thought that the railroad evokes in him.that the railroad evokes in him.

Emerson's Two Parties, Emerson's Two Parties, plus oneplus one

In summing up his age, Emerson said that his fellow In summing up his age, Emerson said that his fellow humans fell into two categories or parties when it came humans fell into two categories or parties when it came to be influenced by history:to be influenced by history:

--The Party of Hope--The Party of Hope: Mainly the Transcendentalists : Mainly the Transcendentalists who believed in the present and looked to the future. who believed in the present and looked to the future. Humans were innocent by nature; human nature was Humans were innocent by nature; human nature was essentially "good." Adam's sin was forgotten; the essentially "good." Adam's sin was forgotten; the human potential was boundless. Self-improvement and human potential was boundless. Self-improvement and self-culture would create even greater growth. self-culture would create even greater growth. NATURE was spiritual salvation.NATURE was spiritual salvation.


---The Party of Memory:-The Party of Memory: Mainly those Mainly those who recalled the sinful past of humans. who recalled the sinful past of humans. Humans were depraved by nature; Humans were depraved by nature; human nature would turn to evil if not human nature would turn to evil if not controlled. Adam's sin was still on us; controlled. Adam's sin was still on us; the human potential was limited by the the human potential was limited by the past of sinfulness. God was the only past of sinfulness. God was the only source of spiritual salvation.source of spiritual salvation.


The critic, RWB Lewis added a third party to Emerson's The critic, RWB Lewis added a third party to Emerson's divisiondivision

--The Party of Irony: --The Party of Irony: Mainly those who held "a tragic Mainly those who held "a tragic optimism" about the future and a sense of the tragic optimism" about the future and a sense of the tragic collision to which innocence was liable. They recognized collision to which innocence was liable. They recognized the value of hope but believed that memory would the value of hope but believed that memory would overcome the growth of human potential. They understood overcome the growth of human potential. They understood the freedom offered by "nature" but they also saw nature as the freedom offered by "nature" but they also saw nature as cruel and indifferent to human suffering--alien often. The cruel and indifferent to human suffering--alien often. The memory of the past would not be overcome by hope alone. memory of the past would not be overcome by hope alone. They were the believers who doubted their own beliefs, who They were the believers who doubted their own beliefs, who were always uncertain about what truth was; they were were always uncertain about what truth was; they were Hawthorne and Melville. Hawthorne and Melville.

CreditsCredits

Notes taken from: Notes taken from: Dr. Augustus Kolich, Dr. Augustus Kolich, English Professor, Saint English Professor, Saint Xavier UniversityXavier University

Activity: You don’t always get what you Activity: You don’t always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you want, but if you try sometimes, you might find, you get what you need…(150 might find, you get what you need…(150 words min.)words min.)

• Make a list of ten things (or less, or more) Make a list of ten things (or less, or more) that you absolutely need to survive that you absolutely need to survive todaytoday. . After making your list, explain the After making your list, explain the reasons why you need those items in a reasons why you need those items in a well-developed journal entry. Do you well-developed journal entry. Do you really “need” those items? What purpose really “need” those items? What purpose do they serve? Could you do without do they serve? Could you do without some of them? Explain your choices.some of them? Explain your choices.

the spirit of individualism

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language of nature

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