In Ralph Waldo Emerson's speech, The American Scholar, he uses the term "man-thinking" to denote an independent thinker, or one who is free of constraining fetters of conformity and dogmatic beliefs. The mind of the independent thinker is engaged by the spectacles of nature and ponders his connection to "the inexplicable continuity of this web of God." The scholar sees his connection to nature and his soul's reflection therein; thus, to study and contemplate nature is to study and contemplate one's soul. The scholar also finds inspiration in books and knowledge; however, the true man-thinker uses this rich source of information to create ideas relevant and reflective of his day. He does not deify past thinkers nor apotheosize their works. Great minds think against themselves and accepted ideas in an attempt to arrive at their own personal truth; they are not afraid of contradiction and change. One of interesting comments Emerson makes about the universe is it is "without center, without circumference." (If you saw the movie "I (heart) Huckabees" this should sound familiar.) The size and scope of the universe is beyond our imagination and understanding. Since Emerson encourages you to think for yourself and be a non-conformist, i would like you to respond to his essay in any way you like. Connect what you see in the essay to what you have learned so far in class.
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One fascinating aspect of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s speech, The American Scholar, is his description of the need to realize the importance of the focus on what is NOW compared to the importance of what was in the PAST. Emerson believes that the books written in the past were from a “mind of the past”. The ideas developed in the past are of that time, and not of the more important present. He stresses that people should write books of their own, about now, using the past as a step ladder. Ideas in books from the past should not be ideas which one should strive to adopt, but rather which one must understand in order to make innovative ideas of their own. One can compare this concept in Emerson’s speech to three levels of transcendence. In Emerson’s eyes the one who studies books from the past and adopts their exact beliefs reflects the ignorance level of consciousness. “…believing it is their duty to accept the views…”, the same views that were of “an older period will not fit this (now)”. This one is ignorant to present time. One who can obtain the knowledge of the past and understand it, but not do anything with it to affect now, is in the second stage. Emerson would compare this person to one who studies these books, does not adopt the beliefs of the authors, but understands them. All of the information is too much at once for the scholar to utilize himself. Finally, one who can understand and use information in past books and compare them to now, and create their own beliefs, is considered the pure being. This pure being has reached complete consciousness.
“The American Scholar” is one of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s more famous speeches. It is this work that establishes him as one of the leading intellectuals of the time. After reading a section of the speech, it is clear that Emerson used ideas of previous philosophers as inspiration for his work. One of the most obvious ideas is the concept of the free thinking individual or as he calls it “Man Thinking.” “In the right state he is Man Thinking. In the degenerate state, when the victim of society, he tends to become a mere thinker or worse a parrot of other men’s thinking” (Emerson, 1). The idea if the Man Thinking and the parrot are very similar to the three stages of enlightenment recognized by eastern philosophers. The Man Thinking concept is similar to the stage of wakefulness and pure enlightenment that few have achieved to reach. The degenerate state is the next step down from enlightenment where knowledge is present in individuals but they are not completely enlightened. The parrot state is equivalent to the coma-like state of ignorance where people follow others without question like a parrot mimics its master. Another is Emerson’s philosophy on books. He believes that “Books are written on it by thinkers, not by Man Thinking; by men of talent, that is, who start wrong, who set out from accepted dogmas, not from their own sight of principals” (Emerson, 3). He is saying books may not be accurate because those who wrote them are not enlightened “Man Thinkers.” Emerson also says “The first in time and the first in importance of the influences upon the mind is that of nature” (Emerson, 1). A similarity to the ideas of romantic poet William Wadsworth, who writes that only nature can give you knowledge, not books.
Ralph Waldo Emerson's speech "The American Scholar" created a vision of realization for the important aspects of ones life. Emerson's ideas of living in the present are greatly represented in his idea of books. He tells man to question fact and truth. Only because words are written in text does not mean it is reliable. There are those people who write books who are awake and enlightened, and there are those who are still ignorant and blind to ideas. Emerson refers to the idea of distribution of functions. These Enlightened men or women step away from society and create their own ideas. The texts in books are written for comfort. Comfort to ease the mind of imagination and understand the past. Those who want to live in the past seek ideas in which people live their own routine lives without change of what they know and are told. Each generation of people need to understand the past to help ease their mind and prove themselves that what seems to be reality truly exists. The mocking of other mans idea of life and past take away from what Emerson explains in his speech. When the enlightened thinker of society breaks away and questions classification and begins to perceive things as one then man can live their life as an over soul, knowing that everything is apart of a big circle.
In “The American Scholar,” Ralph Waldo Emerson conveys the message that books, to a certain extent, are a false form of Enlightenment. He begins by calling geometry “a pure abstraction of the human mind,” and science “nothing but the finding of analogy, identity, in the most remote parts.” In stating this, he hints that egotistical humans fabricate fields like these in order to convince themselves that they are learning and becoming enlightened, when in reality, the only true importance is to realize that all is one. Emerson later declares that although books teach about the past, “each age, it is found, must write its own books.” In other words, new improvements and discoveries are made in every generation; it is more imperative to learn about the updated events that take place in the present, rather than things that already happened. Finally, Emerson differentiates between those who read books and those who have reached Enlightenment, the Pure Essence. From reading so many books of the past, and not learning about now to achieve Enlightenment, Emerson comes to the conclusion that “instead of Man Thinking, we have the bookworm.” Despite what humans of the egotistical stage may believe about learning through books, the only truly valuable learning is done by those who have become enlightened.
An interesting aspect of “The American Scholar” by Ralph Waldo Emerson is his belief that there is a certain way to achieve the highest level of enlightenment. The goal of the speech is to convince the individuals being called on to become “Man Thinking”; this philosophy can be described as independently and intellectually thinking on one’s way towards enlightenment. Emerson states that one will acquire the most knowledge by becoming familiar with nature. This concept draws comparisons to other Romantic writers, notably William Wordsworth. In his poem “Lines Written in Early Spring,” Wordsworth wrote “To her fair works did Nature link the human soul that through me ran; and much it grieved my heart to think what man has made of man.” The meaning of the line is that nature provided humans with all of the skills needed to thrive and succeed, but over time humans have lost potential. Emerson would agree with this statement, as he believes that unenlightened humans are sometimes afraid to gain knowledge. His main theory behind that is that books are written by “the mind of the Past.” Emerson adds, “Books are the best of things, well used; abused, among the worst.” While books may provide a myriad of information, they sometimes become outdated and unnecessary for “Man Thinkers.” By using the resources provided by nature and “Man Thinking,” one will become closer to reaching enlightenment.
Emerson’s “The American Scholar” can be analyzed to mean that the key to Enlightenment is independent thought and non- conformity. Emerson claims that “in the right state he is a Man Thinking”…the he referring to a scholar and the “Man Thinking” is an enlightened individual. This idea of independent thought and non-conformity releasing one and leading to a pure being, analogous to enlightenment, parallels Kant’s philosophy that “Enlightenment is man’s release from his self-incurred tutelage” (Kant, what is enlightenment?). According to Kant this tutelage stems from the lack of one’s independent thought. To Emerson when one is ignorant or a “mere thinker” that person is “the parrot of other men’s thoughts.” Kant would agree, further claiming that in order to break away from this conformity and lack of independent thought one should follow the phrase, “Sapere aude! Have courage to use your own reason” (Kant, what is enlightenment?). This is the motto of enlightenment according to Kant and the basis for “The American Scholar” according to Emerson.
In “The American Scholar” Ralph Waldo Emerson discusses man in his natural setting and how being a scholar is only a single utility the individual uses. In order to be engrossed in the mind-set of a scholar, one must not give in to his/her “degenerate state,” a condition where one chooses ignorance. This state could also be described by Immanuel Kant who related these ignorant persons with a self-incurred tutelage, acknowledging that people who choose to follow unawareness prevent themselves from experiencing true thought and, ultimately, the journey through Enlightenment. It is then believed that civilization is the cause for this uninformed state. Emerson states, “In life, too often, the scholar errs with mankind and forfeits his privilege,” concluding that without this society, people would be more apt to find their inner scholar. In agreement with Emerson, Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s philosophies state that people were born naturally good, and because of this undesirable force, one is trapped in a limited environment. To become enriched and discover one’s true potential, breaking away is essential; in order break down these borders one must be immersed into nature. Only in this state one will be capable to form unity and become enlightened. By exhibiting these ideas in his essay, Emerson revisits philosophies that enriched the Romantic Era.
During the intellectual revolution of New England, Ralph Waldo Emerson delivered his oration known as “The American Scholar.” After reading this piece one can conceptualize the need to assert intellectual independence. He centralizes on the idea of becoming “Man Thinking.” Quite literally, the American Scholar can be interpreted as someone who is in touch with their true being and reality. The “Scholar” is one with nature and eradicates all thoughts of separateness. Emerson opens by saying, “In this distribution of functions...” which refers to the idea that everyone serves a purpose in society. It delineates the fact that individuals must realize their own significance and the value of others in order to positively augment the way they view life. Those who lose sight of their social significance and submit to a life of ignorance are suggesting that ignorance is bliss (perhaps because they are afraid to know the truth or simply because the illusion in which they live provides enough satisfaction). The concept of respect for self and respect for others can be directly related to the tri-levels of consciousness. Rousseau states that all men are born free. The problems that one's ego brings upon themselves is the reason for their ignorance. In essence, humans bring about their own suffering known as Kant's theory of self-incurred tutelage. Recognizing that there are higher levels beyond one's cognizance is the first leap towards reaching a fully conscious state. Once one ascertains these higher levels of knowledge, their intuition is the best resource in order to realize that everything is a manipulation of the same energy. Emerson enforces this concept of transcendence by implying that everything eventually traces back to nature and that by connecting oneself to the natural world, they are bringing themselves closer to enlightenment. Relating to Spinoza's views on nature, he says, “What is nature to him? There is never a beginning, there is never an end...” In the highest level of consciousness, the essence of time completely vanishes. This means that to the “Scholar” nature is the epitome of edification. One must recognize their true self, undergo the tri-levels of consciousness, and mentally become one with nature to fully become “Man Thinking” and a true American scholar.
Ralph Waldo Emerson accurately conveys main concepts of Transcendentalism in “The American Scholar.” Emerson begins his work by saying that “in the right state [man] is Man Thinking. In the degenerate state… he tends to become a mere thinker, or still worse, the parrot of other men’s thinking” (The American Scholar). By entering with such a bold statement, Emerson prepares his readers by setting the foundation for the different tiers or levels of one’s mind state. He writes, “To the young mind everything is individual, stands by itself” (The American Scholar). This relates to Transcendentalism by the idea that those who are unaware that the apparent separateness of their surroundings is merely an illusion, live in a “young” or immature mind state. On the contrary, those living in enlightenment recognize that “there is never a beginning, there is never an end, to the inexplicable continuity of this web of God, but always circular power returning into itself” (The American Scholar). Again, Emerson’s idea relates to Transcendentalism based on the belief that those who can see themselves entirely as part of the atmosphere subsume a mental supremacy that the common population has not reached.
Emerson wrote his speech, “The American Scholar” to educate the masses on the phenomenal under-rated view of the independent mind. Emerson beseeches scholars to the abandon the tainted thoughts of conformity they acquire living in society and instead opt to become “Man Thinking” or intellectual, independent thoughts. However, though he urges intellects to free themselves from “the parrot of other men’s thinking,” at the same time he acknowledges the fault of second-hand thinking, or accepting ideas without coming to that same conclusion as the author. He highlights the importance of thoroughly understanding ideas before accepting them, saying, “All things have two handles: beware the wrong one.” Not everything published under the name of an enlightened individual is necessarily admissibly knowledgeable. One thing Emerson is sure of though, is what is unfaltering in its lessons: nature. Like Wordsworth, romantics and Hindu’s before him, Emerson highly regards the value of nature’s lessons. He alludes to the middle-eastern concept of no death but the alternative existence, “What is nature to him? [A scholar] There is never a beginning; there is never an end to the inexplicable continuity of this web of God, but always circular power returning into itself.” He reflects on Hindu/Buddhist philosophies more than once, but always claiming they can be learned through nature. Emerson even insinuates agreement with the Hindu notion that beyond reason and explanation there is a state of pure being, “science is nothing but finding the analogy identity, in more remote parts.” With his naturally-based directions, Emerson appeals to the scholar searching for muse for enlightenment and easily sets precedence for individuals to awe in the rife of knowledge in nature.
Ralph Waldo Emerson is a thinker of the Transcendentalist period. In his piece The American Scholar, he states that “the theory of books is noble”. A book to an unconscious member of society is a way of gaining information. They accept whatever the writer tells them. The conscious or enlightened man however, reads a book and then uses it to come up with his own thoughts or ideas. At the very end of The American Scholar Emerson asks the question about books, “What is the right use?” and then answers by saying, “They are for nothing but to inspire…” This essay is addressing the conscious thinks or those who want to be. This is why he ends it without ending the sentence. He wants those who are reading it to finish the sentence with their own thoughts; to become enlightened thinkers. An example of an ending to the sentence might be: to inspire those to write their own books so that the next generation of scholars can come along and read it and then write their own book with their own thoughts in it. This would create an everlasting cycle of those above the unconscious state.
Ralph Waldo Emerson was a brilliant writer from the 19th century. In his speech to Harvard College, named “The American Scholar”, he discusses the concept of a “Man-Thinker” versus a degenerate state or a “parrot” of other men’s thinking. Emerson says that two things, nature and the past, inspire the Man-Thinkers. The past is recorded by authors who take life and transform it into an immortal truth, to create books. All of society has been based on the past and its books, but it is merely a repetition of prevailing maxims. The Man-Thinkers, such as Emerson himself, believe that people must make their own truths of their own day. He states, “Each age, it is found, must write its own books;” (Emerson 189). Taking the doctrine of a book from generations before is invalid. It is similar to Immanual Kant’s philosophy of self-incurred tutelage. However, giving in to the standard thinkers’ conformity is like being “freed” by someone else. It is their mind, not the individual’s. In this case, in order to be “free”, a person must release all inhibitions and ties to previous dogmas so they can form their own relevant and unconstrained tenets to become an independent thinker.
Ralph Waldo Emmerson was among one the greatest minds of the 19th century, and stressed among many things, non-conformism and that one should come to his own conclusions. During his Phi Beta Kappa oration at Harvard, he asserted "Man Thinking". "Man thinking" is not about a chauvinistic approach to male dominated thinking, but rather refers to the idea that each man should be his own person and as quoted from "Toonami" "Kids...They are always asking questions. 'What is thy desire?' 'Who made me, and what did they make me for?". However a contemporary (in his time) source would be Thomas Paine's Age of Reason in which Paine states his reasoning for his religous beliefs, in which he believes that revelation comes from oneself and not from someone else; that would be "hearsay". Within "The American Scholar" Emerson applauds that "the theory of books is noble". However he states that books are also garbage and that the best book is a book that creates dissent and debate. Kant agrees that the best kind of government is one that allows debate and dissent...and flaunts his almost selfless devotion to the reign of Fredrick the Great, who agreed that dissent was the best way to rule a country. In general, the common consesus among many philosophy is that one should always question, and always have doubt, and varying opinions on everything.
Ralph Waldo Emerson’s essay “The American Scholar” has Hindu, Romantic, and Transcendental ideas present throughout it. Although Emerson was a writer during the transcendentalism movement, his writing is drenched with romantic ides, “the first time and the first in importance of the influences upon the mind is that of nature.” Although Emerson later discusses the mind as a tool; he criticizes the mind for creating unnecessary problems, which is an idea that is brought forth during the transcendental period. Nature being one of the most important influences on this “tool” of a mind is inspired by the romantic idea that nature is the most important concept, that it sets one free.
In Ralph Waldo Emerson’s poem, The American Scholar, he addresses influences upon the human mind and the choices that life brings. The first main influence is Nature, not only does it spread knowledge of the past it also teaches the intricate web that connects everything. Another lesson is that everything is originated in nature whether it is the wind or language. Emerson believes only an independent enlightened scholar or a “Man Thinker” can grasp the lessons of nature fully. The second greatest influence are books because they can “get at the truth” (Emerson 18). Although books can be an excellent source of knowledge they can fill the mind with preposterous ideas if not written by a “Man Thinker”. In the words of Emerson, “Books are the best of things, well used; abused, among the worst” (Emerson 18). A conscious decision is necessary to make the right choice that leads to a “Man-Thinking” heightened state of consciousness.
could someone explain to me waht this process is? i've noticed that you have some sort of clan here commenting on various topics. if someone could tell me what this is so i could join thatd be great. thanks.
A theme that has been discussed in class and made apparent in the speech, The American Scholar, by Ralph Waldo Emerson is the important of ones own knowledge. Emerson believes that there are two different paths in life where one may be more desired than another. Emerson states that "too often, the scholar errs with mankind and forfeits his privilege." The belief that it is a human right to obtain knowledge and question the things around them is an aspect of Buddhism. The discussion of Buddhism in class has shown that Buddhists believe that in order to achieve enlightenment one must question everything they see. When Emerson extends his belief on the power of knowledge by saying "To the young mind everything is individual, stands by itself. By and by it finds how tojoin two things and see in them one nature;" he is saying that without knowledge one is not able to see the truth and unity behind everything. The mind will not be able to comprehend what else is beyond them without questioning their surroundings. Emerson pushes the idea to not accept what one is told, but to question and find out ones own answers to their own questions, a belief that is the foundation to Buddhism.
creeep?
Ralph Waldo Emerson expresses ideas of transcendentalism in “The American Scholar”. He compares an individual’s enlightenment with nature which influences the mind. It is important to be an independent thinker in order to become an intellectual. The enlightened individual is able to get past the idea of separateness and realize that all is one in the end. “There is never a beginning, there is never an end,” states Emerson. Nature is a cycle which doesn’t start or end at a particular part. Instead, it is all connected. To the average young mind, it is nearly impossible to connect two and two together. Once the mind grows in intelligence, it is able to join things together and connect everything with nature. Next, Emerson connects the mind of the past with the use if books. Emerson philosophizes that each generation needs their own story and that books written from the past are not fit for future time periods. Every human prospers from a book, speech or the ideas of an enlightened individual. However, some opinions and personal ideas may be altered due to these ideas. “Books are the best of things, well used; abused, among the worst,” claims Emerson. It is not necessary for an individual in the thinking state to question their own intuition by constantly quoting other philosophers. In order for the future generations to come to succeed, all individuals need to follow their instinct ruled by nature and focus on the present and future.
In “The American Scholar”, Emerson’s philosophy of “Man Thinking” is strikingly similar to Immanuel Kant’s own philosophy of Enlightenment. Emerson mentions the “distribution of functions” in his speech which in its best state, one realizes one’s own worth. This is parallel to Kant’s philosophy that one must enlighten oneself and no one can do it for them. James Lawler wrote in his essay, “If freedom from shackles is handed to them (slaves) without their own efforts, they will quickly fall back into servitude” (We Are the One! Kant Explains How to Manipulate the Matrix). He means that if one’s journey to Enlightenment is accomplished for one, they are not truly enlightened. One will fall back into servitude and become, as Emerson describes it, “the parrot of other men’s thinking” (The American Scholar). With this, he means that one does not think for oneself and just portrays the ideas of those before him or her. Kant’s philosophy of Enlightenment resembles Emerson’s theory of “Man Thinking” in his speech “The American Scholar”.
mr. farley you spelled defy wrong. unless deify is a word.
In Ralph Waldo Emerson's speech, "The American Scholar", Emerson criticizes the use of books and describes what he thinks is “Man Thinking”. Emerson tells of his view on books when providing knowledge to the individual. He does not believe that books were completely misleading, however as time progressed, the books persuade the person to believe the content without choosing on their own to believe. The difference between books and “Man Thinking” is that “Man Thinking” chooses to learn from nature and becomes one with it. Like Rousseu, Emerson believes that man must become one with nature. He also discusses Hindu beliefs such as “All is one” and the theory that nothing ever actually dies, but re-enters nature in a different form. Emerson believed that every human being has a role in society, whether it is a scholar or a lawyer, and each person chooses to obtain knowledge or enlightenment in his or her own way. Emerson suggests that intellectuals put down the books that “educate” them and think for themselves. Emerson also attempts to get the listener to focus on the present and not on the past, which many will do when looking to discover more knoweledge. For example, many will find books and various philosophers to teach them how to be enlightened, however they do not choose to believe the theories on their own. Emerson uses the theories of Transcendentalism, Hinduism, and Romantic ideas to stress the importance of "Man Thinking".
Mr. Farley;
I do not have any quotations because I put my folder in my locker, but never went back to my locker. My blog was basically memory and the few side notes that I took in my notebook.
Ralph Waldo Emerson illustrates the importance of pushing past standards to reach enlightenment in his work, "The American Scholar". In the first few lines, he notes that when a man comes to realize his own worth instead of simply sticking to his talents, "[he] is the delegated intellect" (Emerson 187). Going beyond the standard way of thinking, he explains, is necessary to raise oneself above the constant level of understanding. People simply follow the ideas presented to them through books, where as Emerson believes that they should not blindly tag-along, instead of questioning them and working to alter them. These men are not "Man Thinking", who writes of his own philosophies and principles and strays from the "sluggish and perverted mind of the multitude" (Emerson 189). "Man Thinking" strays from the herd, utilizes books for their inspiration and information, then proceeds to formulate his own beliefs. This, Emerson states, is the correct use of books, and thus, grants "Man Thinking" the possibility of reaching enlightenment by furthering his understanding of information recorded in the past.
Anonymous - It's a blog for our English Honors class. We receive an assignment in school and are told to post a blog of our thoughts on the topic. This assignment was about our thoughts of Emerson's "American Scholar", which is available on the internet.
Anonymous 2 (AKA Robinson.) - No need to fling names.
Anonymous 3 - deify means to worship someone or something as a god.
we should pretend to be a cult to outsiders
In Ralph Waldo Emerson’s address, “The American Scholar”, he urges every individual to strive to become a scholar. Emerson depicts the scholar as “he of all men whom [nature] most engages” (The American Scholar), an everyday man who holds a love for nature. It is the scholar’s calling to ask himself questions, such as what is nature? He must realize that nature is the most prominent influence on the mind, “there is never a beginning, never an end” to nature (The American Scholar). A fascinating aspect of Emerson’s American Scholar is how nature and the scholar are connected. Emerson says that the scholar is continually searching for his spirit, but, similar to solving the mysteries of nature, it cannot be done. However, in the line “in the mass and in the particle, Nature hastens to render account of herself to the mind,” (The American Scholar) Emerson alludes that Nature attempts to “connect” with the scholar, to assist him in discovering his soul. It was Emerson’s hope that all of mankind would look upon the scholar as an example for themselves.
The speech “The American Scholar” by Ralph Waldo Emerson directly correlates to many of the main ideologies of Hinduism. Throughout the speech Emerson constantly refers to a state of “Man Thinking” which connects to the credence of the Universal Consciousness Brahman. This is the conscious individual that has surpassed the rebirth into Brahman and has become enlightened. Emerson states that humans “err with mankind and [forfeit] [their] privilege.” This ties into the idea that only a select few are able to overcome science, reason and ego to apprehend the importance of intuition. Emerson then goes on to state that the young mind is “tyrannized over by its own unifying instinct, it goes on tying things together, diminishing anomalies.” This is a powerful statement conveying that humans are overwhelmed with reason and perceived facts that are merely figments of ones five senses. These illusions subtract from the understanding of oneness, and reduce variation through instinct.
In “The American Scholar,” Ralph Waldo Emerson depicts his understanding of enlightenment and the stages one must undergo to attain this state. For a scholar to reach the most sacred state of pure being, he must go through two preceding stages: the first one involves the scholar’s comprehension of nature. Emerson proclaims, “So much of nature as he is ignorant of, so much of his own mind he does not possess” (Emerson 189). He is alluding to the belief that nature is part of one; therefore, by studying and reflecting upon nature, one may begin to understand oneself. By contemplating this idea, a scholar will soon be able to pursue the next stage of awareness in which one muses over the “mind of the Past—in whatever form, whether of literature and art” (Emerson 189). The simplest way to do this is through books which should be employed as a source for one’s inspiration. After reading books and contemplating the knowledge of past thinkers, a scholar may use the acquired information to establish his own ideas to better the present. Now, a scholar will achieve the final state referred to as enlightenment or pure being. In the state of pure being, the scholar will continue “Man Thinking” in a higher degree in which all the constraints and limitations of one’s mental and even spiritual potential evaporate (Emerson 187). Emerson stated, “Every day, the sun; and, after the sunset, Night and her stars” (Emerson 187). Interestingly, Emerson chose to capitalize the word, night, so it appears that he is illustrating, like the Buddhists/Hindus believe, the instance in the early stages of enlightenment when one is overcome with light and cannot truly see. Only later, when the sun disappears over the horizon, at Night, will an individual achieve the final stage—pure being.
Anonymous 1 should totally be an honorary member of our class.
Ralph Waldo Emerson’s eminent speech “The American Scholar” mentions a phrase, Man Thinker. Is a Man Thinker what pop culture would consider to be a “dog” or a “pig”, just out for the ‘one thing’? No. A Man Thinker is one who thinks for his or herself. A Man Thinker rids his or her mind of separateness and sees that all is one. A Man Thinker encompasses a higher level of intellect. A Man Thinker is what the enlightened thinkers would call “enlightened” and what the Hindus would call a “Buddha”. This Man Thinker is awoken from the sleepwalking state and sees that “there is never a beginning, there is never an ending” in anything, especially Nature. Man Thinkers and the Over Soul are respected as much as Brahman, the Self, or The Noble Savage are in other philosophies. The first influence on a Man Thinking individual is Nature. If one really learns from and studies Nature, one will find Nature and the Human species are solitary. The second influence on a Man Thinking individual is publications. Emerson describes books as “the best of things, well used, abused, among the worst”. Literature is amiss when it is not written by enlightenment thinkers. Does this mean that one is just chanting these ideas without analyzing all possible suggestions? Text is positive when it is written well with correct information, also that the scholar reads all possible literatures to pick the one he or she most agrees with. Nature resembles one’s own spirit, written texts coincide with human knowledge. Man Thinkers conquer the entire concept of nature being one with books.
Ralph Waldo Emerson’s speech, The American Scholar, and Immanuel Kant’s writing What is Enlightenment? share the same ideas about what prevents people from reaching the third level of consciousness. Emerson portrays his reason on why people do not become Enlightened by saying “In life, too often, the scholar errs with mankind and forfeits his privilege”. The scholar represents the ignorant being, or first level of consciousness. Even though the scholar has achieved some level of consciousness he prevents himself from using it. This happens because he goes along with the rest of mankind waiting for Enlightenment to come to them when really they are the ones who have to find Enlightenment. Similarly, Kant believes that people prevent themselves from becoming Enlightened. Kant states that an authority figure, who abuses his power, holds the people in bondage thus enabling then to reach Enlightenment. Many people are frightened to make a big leap into the unknown and question the authority figure. They do not realize that the big leap is in fact just a small leap. This idea of man preventing himself from reaching Enlightenment is shared by Emerson and Kant.
The American Scholar by Ralph Waldo Emerson possesses the fascinating aspect of people needing to be independent thinkers. Emerson discusses the idea of a Man Thinking. A Man Thinking is a free-thinking person who decides decisions and beliefs for himself. “In the right state he is Man Thinking (Emerson).” In a way a Man Thinking can relate to the three levels of consciousness. The highest level or consciousness being a free-thinking, independent person, the second level or sleeping being a person who just simply thinks with no objective and the third level or unconsciousness being a person who follows others orders. A person’s goal should be to become a Man Thinking or a conscious person. Just like many people hope to reach enlightenment, people should also stride to become Man Thinking. By becoming independent thinkers (Man Thinking) a person becomes enlightened. Through being a Man Thinking a person can understand that humans are not separate from nature and can form their own opinions on nature and other things. “The first in time and the first in importance of the influences upon the mind is that of nature (Emerson).” A Man Thinking possesses many beliefs to that of a Romantic when it comes to nature. Free-thinkers do not only have to act as individuals, but also as generations. Emerson states how books in the past may have possessed knowledge useful to the people of that time, but not necessarily for other generations. Generations need to write their own books and document their unique ideas in order to become an entire nation of Man Thinking. For example, The Bible was written years ago, yet people still use it today to form their entire belief systems. Traditional followers such as Bible readers clash with individual thinkers today creating arguments and disagreements such as abortion or gay marriage. Ralph Waldo Emerson portrays the idea of people needing to be independent thinkers in The American Scholar.
Ralph Waldo Emerson’s speech “The American Scholar” portrays the levels of consciousness present in Romantic beliefs. Emerson opens the speech by discussing the different levels of thinking that are occupied by man. The greatest level of knowledge is “Man Thinking,” a state where man has intellectual independence and does not conform to society. This represents the highest level of consciousness, or pure being, where one is enlightened, believes all is one and follows their intuition. The second state is the “mere thinker” who is corrupted by society, representing the dream state where one recognizes that they are living in an illusion but are not yet enlightened. The final state he speaks of is the ignorant “parrot of other man’s thinking.” This level of knowledge symbolizes the egoistic, manifested level of consciousness that most of the world is living in. Throughout the rest of the speech, he supports this philosophy. While preaching that nature has the greatest influence on the mind, he says “the scholar is he of all men whom this spectacle most engages,” (Emerson). Romantics were committed to learning lessons from nature, especially those in the highest level of consciousness. Also in the speech Emerson explains that “To the young mind everything is individual, stands by itself,” (Emerson). A young child, still ignorant and in the unconscious state of mind, is a victim of the illusion of the ego.
Although he does not refer to it specifically, Emerson urges people to strive for the Hindu/Buddhist concept of enlightenment in “The American Scholar.” This begins with the acquisition of knowledge about the material world, especially nature. To Emerson, everything is an opportunity to learn: “do not all things exist for the student's behoof?” Learning and understanding, in essence, means drawing connections. Everything is guided by the same rules, he explains, whether astronomy, chemistry, or biology, and the very fact that the human mind can comprehend these rules attests to its connection to them. As this progresses, and the mind “goes on tying things together, diminishing anomalies, discovering roots running under ground,” eventually one realizes that everything can be connected as part of a universal consciousness, or Brahman, or as Emerson would put it, the oversoul. Then, “he shall look forward to an ever expanding knowledge as to becoming a creator.” (The use of the term “creator” is odd, as Brahman was not created, it just is. However, it can be inferred that since in an enlightened state, one is part of everything, then one is the creator of that everything as well.) Therefore, as “the American scholar” educates himself about nature, he is taking the first step to reaching the ego-less state of enlightenment.
As proven through Ralph Waldo Emerson’s speech, “The American Scholar” the importance of today conquers that of the past. Throughout his speech, he informs Harvard College of the significance of developing their own ideas instead of dwelling on the past. Emerson views books of the past as one written by a “mind of the past”. In his eyes, books were solely for inspiration, not plagiarism. Towards the end of his speech, Emerson compared “Man Thinking” to an average human also known as the “bookworm”. Emerson portrays “Man Thinking” as an enlightened one and a “bookworm” as one who wallows in books of the past. Although one could interpret his speech as an insult to literature, Emerson simply compliments it when he says, “Books are the best type of the influence of the past, and perhaps we shall get at the truth- learn the amount of this influence more conveniently”. Some may look at books for information on how to live their life, but as Emerson has said, too much of this knowledge one, “tends to become a mere thinker, or still worse, the parrot of other men’s thinking”.
An interesting aspect of Ralph Waldo Emerson's speech, An American Scholar, is his subtle attack on what an average person would consider a "scholar". Emerson states that one who reads from books and adopts the author's ideas is ignorant and not yet at the level of maturity it takes to be, by his definition, a true enlightened scholar. By conveying these ideas to the reader, one can see that a main reason Emerson was such an influential and intellectual figure of his time is because he goes beyond what was, and is, considered to be intelligence and even challenges those considered to be enlightened and intelligent by questioning their actions in obtaining information. It is interesting that he questions the validity of books, while also questioning what it is to truly be a scholar. Emerson also calls concepts such as geometry, a subject where if one is successful their intelligence appears to be broad, "a pure abstraction of the human mind". What Emerson reveals about the subjects and ideas and beliefs that, by any average perspective, collectively contribute an intelligent mind, is ultimately true, though slightly controversial.
In Ralph Waldo Emerson's speech the American Scholar, he depicts that for someone to learn they must understand that everything is connected. Similarly, Transcendentalism literature often portrayed this theory that "all is one". Transcendentalism was a movement that believed the mind, body and everything apart of the universe to be an illusion and that only the essence of a person exists. Emerson states that "to the young mind everything is individual, stands by itself. By and by, it finds how to join two things and see in them one nature; then three, then three thousand..." This is like the Hindu states of enlightenment as the being moves up from the lowest of ignorance and evetually to the highest of pure being. It also reflects the idea of Brahman and that "all is one". By the time the being reaches the level of pure being, they will have discovered, as Emerson explains, that "he and it proceed from one root, one is leaf and one is flower..." Through his speech of the American Scholar, Emerson displays evident Transcendentalist beliefs that all is one.
Ralph Waldo Emerson’s speech “The American Scholar” at Harvard College demonstrated his idea of a man’s intelligence. In this speech, he addresses many points that have Romantic elements. Romantics believe that nature influences one’s thought. Emerson articulates how man’s first influence comes from nature stating, “The first time and the first in importance of the influences upon the mind is that of nature”. (The American Scholar) This clearly exhibits a Romantic element, in which nature depicts life. Emerson is describing how nature is the first thing one really observes in their life; therfore, it is the most meaningful thing in life.
“The American Scholar,” a speech written by Ralph Waldo Emerson, promotes the idea of how powerful one mind can be, once it has attained its true potential and has “compromised in self- trust.” Emerson immediately elaborates on the idea of thinking for oneself. He describes this state as “…the right state, he is Man-Thinking…” He is fully aware that a plethora of people typically think in a crowd and not for themselves, and Emerson warns people to never become “the parrot of other men’s thinking.” This basic concept of thinking for oneself is also highlighted in Emerson’s piece Nature, which explains that not thinking on one’s own is like suicide, or, in other words killing the mind simply because it is the same as someone else’s.
In his speech “The American Scholar,” Ralph Waldo Emerson uses Transcendentalist and Romantic views to get his ideas across by describing a true American scholar's relationship to everything around him. While reading this speech, one may notice some key Hindu ideas. Emerson conveys that people need to see themselves as part of the whole and essential to all of society. He states, "Man is not a farmer, or a professor, or an engineer, but he is all." This is can be seen as an important Hindu view. The core of the Upanishads, a collection of Hindu writings, is that enlightenment can be achieved by meditating with the awareness that one's soul is one with all things, and that "one" is Brahman, which becomes the "all". Emerson explains that, “To the young mind everything is individual, stands by itself.” This statement falls in agreement with the Upanishads’ center meaning. Another principal Hindu idea is unfolded when Emerson says, “There is never a beginning, there is never an end, to the inexplicable continuity of this web of God.” Emerson is applying the Hindu belief to live in the present moment fully. After thorough analysis, one can conclude that Emerson expresses some key Hindu ideas and beliefs.
“The American Scholar” conveys Emerson’s beliefs regarding “man thinking” as well as Romantic philosophies. His oration discusses many interesting and thought provoking ideas such as independent thinking. However his most stimulating point is his view of nature and its connection to the individual’s mind. Emerson orates, “So much of nature as he is ignorant of, so much of his own mind he not yet possess” (Emerson “The American Scholar”). If one is ignorant to what is in nature, they are shutting their mind off to the potential of reaching enlightenment. Emerson believes that nature has a direct correlation to the development of the mind. According to Emerson one can not become a pure being unless they observe nature’s teachings, a key Romantic principle.
Ralph Waldo Emerson’s speech The American Scholar exemplifies the transcendental ideas of becoming an enlightened thinker. He first describes the term, “Man Thinking.” Man Thinking is a component of Enlightenment, as it represents an independent thinker. Emerson expresses the influence that nature holds on a scholar and their journey to find their personal existence as an independent thinker. It is most important that man engage his mind in nature and value the pure essence that nature radiates. When one comes to the conclusion that, “there is never an end in the inexplicable continuity of this well of God, but always circular power returning into itself,” they realize that the soul never dies, and we all come from and will return to that same place. Emerson depicts that “to the young mind everything is individual, stands by itself. By and by, it finds how to join two things and see in them one nature; then tree, then three-thousand.” Philosophers believe it is of great importance to rid one’s self of separateness. The more research in the books of philosophers, or the more examining of nature, brings the commonality of all things throughout. Comprehending the idea of Brahman in Hinduism and the act of classifying and separating things are steps on the road to enlightenment or wakefulness.
In Emerson’s speech “The American Scholar” delivered on August 31, 1837 during the Phi Beta Kappa annual oration at Harvard College, he addresses the concept of the mind existing in different states or levels. Emerson describes two defined states, the “right state” and the “degenerate state”, the latter of the two consisting of two sub-states. Emerson claims that when a man is “in the right state he is Man Thinking”. While existing in the “degenerate state,” Emerson claims man is a “victim of society” either “he tends to become a mere thinker” or the lowest state of all “still worse the parrot of other men’s thinking”. This concept of the existence of states of a man’s mind directly parallels the levels of Enlightenment, Brahman, and Consciousness, which are all essentially the same. Emerson’s “right state” where a man is “Man Thinking” or able to “assert intellectual independence” parallels with the state of pure being, also referred to as Brahman, Enlightenment, or wakefulness. In this state of wakefulness only the present exists just as for a Man Thinker only the now is ultimately important. The higher sub-state of Emerson’s ”degenerate state” is where a man is a “mere thinker”, he does not think simply for himself but rather to answer the questions of others. In this state a man is a “victim of society” more clearly stated a victim of society’s questions and empty quest for answers. This state can be translated to the level of knowledge, consciousness, or the dream state. In this dream state a man is able to see things on his own but not accept them for simply what they are. The lower sub-state to Emerson’s “degenerate state” is the state in which a man is a “parrot of other men’s thinking”. In other words men in this state accept things for what men before them perceived these things to be, accepting “the views which Cicero, which Locke, which Bacon, [had] given”. This correlates to the level of ignorance, unconsciousness, or sleepwalking, because in this level a man looks no further then appearance and accepts things for what others say they are.
“The American Scholar” is just one of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s famous speeches. Emerson incorporates the concepts of Transcendentalism in his works. In "The American Scholar," Emerson begins his writing stating that "in the right state [man] is Man Thinking. In the degenerate state… he tends to become a mere thinker, or still worse, the parrot of other men’s thinking” (The American Scholar). Emerson is preparing the reader for life ahead. By “Man Thinking,” Emerson is referring to one who is able to think for oneself. One who can think for oneself is one who is understanding the life as an independent scholar. Emerson states that to the young mind “by and by , it finds how to join two things and see in them one nature, then three, then three thousand…” (The American Scholar). Here, Emerson is relating to Transcendentalism and the idea that one who can not relate to one’s surroundings is only just living in an illusion. On the other hand, one who is not in the sleep walking state, and is aware of their surroundings is one, out of the few, who have already been enlightened. In his writings, Emerson makes an appeal to those who have been enlightened and one’s who have yet to be by incorporating the ideas and concepts of Transcendentalism in his writing, “The American Scholar.
Ralph Waldo Emerson’s views on science as expressed in his speech, “The American Scholar,” are extremely thought provoking. He says, “...science is nothing but the finding of analogy, identity, in the most remote parts.” This poses the question, is science invented or discovered? Science may have always existed and man began understanding the way things work after living on this earth for a while. However, science may just be man’s attempt at describing his surroundings because he is unable to fully capture and understand the true essence of this world. Emerson says that there has always been an “accumulation and classifying of facts,” but who is to say whether or not these “facts” are truly facts? The Romantic thinkers would agree that there is no certainty to all of this collected information because everything is an illusion. There may be more out there, in the vast openness of this existence, that man cannot perceive through the five senses. So it may be that humans created science to explain what they have “discovered,” even though they will never grasp a full understanding of the universe.
In “The American Scholar”, Ralph Waldo Emerson discusses his beliefs of enlightenment and the gradually progression that must occur for one to experience enlightenment. Emerson does an excellent job of relating the first stages of enlightenment to nature. By connecting with nature one can truly unlock their true being. He proclaims, “He must settle its value in his mind. What is nature to him?” (Emerson 187) This exemplifies the fact that each individual must find their own relation to nature. Emerson also displays the importance of awareness for a person who is trying to become enlightened. Being an active person in the world allows for a person to stay in touch with the events occurring in the world around them. Reading books also allows a person mind to be open to new ideas and concepts, which will increase their awareness tremendously. Once a person reaches a state of true Enlightenment one no longer thinks according to others beliefs, but thinks purely based upon what they know and believe. This would be consider based on what Emerson believes as “Man Thinking”. He feels too many people live a life based on the thinking of other men and not according to their own conclusions. Emerson’s concepts are those that can inspire people to analyze all aspects of life and never simply believe another.
Ralph Waldo Emerson's speech, The American Scholar, demonstrates Immanuel Kant's idea of self-incurred tutelage. Emerson said that books are a "great influence into the spirit of the scholar." However, one cannot allow the books ideas to become their own. This would be allowing oneself to lose true identity, and become a parrot for the identity of another. "Books are the best of things, well used; abused, among the worst," Emerson writes. Therefore, it is not the books that are a negative influence in themselves. This ties into Kant's idea of permitting oneself to lose one's identity. One cannot adopt the principles of past thinkers as their own, but can only use them to develop their own beliefs. By placing books on a pedestal of perfection, the generations that live after the author of the book feel they must accept the ideas in the books. "...believing it is their duty to accept the views of...," Emerson writes of the young men who will not become Man Thinkers. By accepting ideas from the past as one's own principles enters a person into a self-incurred tutelage.
Ralph Waldo Emerson’s “The American Scholar” speech identifies numerous deep philosophical elements, perhaps the most evident of these being the parallel to the Transcendental ideal of the three levels of consciousness. Although Emerson makes a strong connection to this philosophy, it is not necessarily a direct replication. Emerson’s speech demonstrates the belief that as one progresses through life, the young mind develops to conclude that all things are not separate individual beings, but rather being part of one universal consciousness. In his speech, Emerson states, “To the young mind everything is individual, stands by itself. By and by, it finds how to join two things and see in them one nature, then three…” (Emerson 187). In saying this, Emerson relates the burgeoning young mind to that of an individual coming to a semi-conscious state for the first time. Just as the young mind grows and begins to progress, the unconscious being slips closer and closer to a state of consciousness. Emerson demonstrates how the mind uncovers the coexistence of a few objects, ultimately leading to the discovery of all beings as one. As Emerson so eloquently summarizes, “… it [the mind] goes on tying things together, diminishing anomalies, discovering roots running under ground whereby contrary and remote things cohere and flower out from one stem”(Emerson 187). In describing the process as such, Emerson reveals the oneness of the universe, a belief held by those who have reached a state of enlightenment, or consciousness. Emerson’s speech is rife with philosophical elements such as that of the Transcendental theory of the three levels of consciousness, which is loosely demonstrated with a strong connotation.
Ralph Waldo Emerson was pot, writer, and philosopher. His ideas sprouted from many artists, philosophers, and religious thinkers from different parts of the world. In particular, Emerson references to the Hindu religion and the Romantic Movement several times throughout his works and speeches. Specifically, in his speech “The American Scholar”, Emerson talks about how there truly is no concept of time and that “the first in time and the first in important of the influences upon the mind is that of nature.” Emerson illustrates to his audience how when one’s mind fully develops to its highest potential, one can see for the first time that two separate or joined things are one in nature. Nature is the key Romantic element but the key Hindu elements are the levels of consciousness. Emerson references to a scholar as being “the delegated intellect” but in comparison to the Hindu levels, scholars are on a level of consciousness and are aware but not fully aware of reality. He then refers to the lower class of thinkers, or “the degenerate state”, as “parrot[s] of other men’s thinking.” This level is the ignorant level where no sense of understanding reality can be or is comprehended. Through any individual great knowledge and understanding can be obtained the person just has to want to accept what will be given, “It came to him short-lived actions; it went out from him immortal thoughts. It came to him business; it went from him poetry.” Emerson’s “The American Scholar” portrays the theories and ideas of two influential groups of people, Hindus and Romantics.
Mr. Farley, I know this is late and I’m very sorry. I hope you will still accept this and I am fully aware that it will be marked down for being late. Thanks.
ohh okay if it is for school then i will not interfere. i was just wondering what this is all about. i am studying some of these topics in college and i find them very interesting. thanks.
no problem.
Ralph Waldo Emerson’s speech called “The American Scholar” enforces the idea that independent thinking is the key to Enlightenment. He establishes the idea that nature and time is endless. There is no ending to it and therefore no beginning. Everything moves in an endless “circular power” that is always one. As a person ages he begins to understand nature. He classifies things and works out problems all to help him understand nature. Emerson enforces the idea that one must think for himself and create his own ideas and theories about things, if he wants to be truly enlightened. A person can learn from what someone else has written about his or her own theories, but then is the reader not putting a limit on what he can learn from the world around him if he accepts those ideas as true? He should instead write his own books and papers about what he thinks to be true. Emerson also makes an interesting point when he discusses that since the dawn of time there has been a classifying of facts and a gathering of information. People’s minds are always establishing what is true and what is not and then they create laws and restrictions on things. Subjects such as geometry, chemistry, and astronomy are nothing but people trying to establish law and order in the universe. All these subjects are beneficial and helpful to most people, but would be a roadblock to the enlightened thinker who wants to think for himself without having other ideas influencing him.
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