Post I: Transcendentalism Overview

What is Transcendentalism?

Transcendentalism Definition: A movement, doctrine, or system of belief to go beyond your limit or range, for example a thought of belief.
What does this mean to me?: To go up and beyond, "Try Hard", and go as far as you can. You're the only person holding yourself back. There's so much that you can do but the thought of fear and being judged by society is holding you back. You have to be the change that you want see in the world and in society. Be positive and look and what you have and what you can do. What is your potential?

Transcendentalism is demonstrated in Nature when Emerson says, "To go into solitude, a man needs to retire as much from his chamber as from society." meaning to escape the influences of others, we must drift away from the familiar structures in life. You not only need to leave society behind, but also all your activities. If you want to know true solitude, get out and experience nature.

Transcendentalism is also demonstrated in Nature when Emerson says, "The horizon is a mans own view, how far he sees is his own choice" This is an example of optimism because he is looking at life in general in a positive way. To go far in life, you must be positive or see as far as you can. This is also an example of individualism because Emerson is showing how everyone sees things differently. He is showing his point of view on life and how he is an individual with different thoughts on life. This is an example of self reliance because he is thinking for himself and thinking in his own way.

In Nature, transcendentalism is demonstrated when Emerson says, "I become a transparent eyeball; I am nothing; I see all; The currents of the Universal Being circulates through me; I am part or parcel of God" This is an example of individualism and optimism because Emerson becomes so independent and modest that he just sees things and exists as an instrument of sight. Even though he sees all, he is nothing. He does not want to bring attention to himself so he does not add his opinion on the view.

Part II: Emerson

Emerson's works, opinions, and ideas about the "Big Idea" of Transcendentalism

Individualism: In Self-Relience, Emerson says, "The great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude" This is an example of Individualism because Emerson is saying that the great man is the one who keeps his own thoughts and feelings even though surrounded by society. The influences of others and society doesn't affect him and he will stay great if he continues to be an individual.

Optimism: In Self-Reliance, Emerson says, "Greatness is a property for which no man can receive credit too soon; it must be possessed long before it is acknowledged" This is an example of optimism because Emerson is saying how you have to be positive and patient in life. Greatness will come but you just have to wait and earn it. You have to learn and experience what greatness is before you can own the name.

Self-Reliance: In Self-Relience, Emerson says, "Nothing can bring you peace but yourself" This is an example of Self-Relience because Emerson is saying you can bring peace among yourself. Don't let the thoughts of society negatively impact you and ruin your peace. Think for yourself and keep your peace.

Intuition: In Self-Relience, Emerson says, "To be great is to be misunderstood" This is an example of Intuition because to me, Emerson is saying do what you think is right even though it might not be what society thinks. You are an individual and you might do something different from the crowd and be misunderstood. But that is what makes you great, doing what you think is right and being misunderstood by society.

Part III: Thoreau

     Many people say that Thoreau was a student of Emerson's philosophy and that Thoreau practiced what Emerson preached. Learning from Emerson's teachings, Thoreau left society to live in nature amongst Walden Pond. He built a cabin and lived apart from society for many years. Soon, Thoreau began to think and draw the same conclusions that Emerson did about nature, society, and more.
     In Walden, Thoreau says, "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 had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived." (Thoreau 204). This explains why he went into the woods. After listening to Emerson's philosophy about society and nature, he became curious and wanted to learn what nature could teach him. Thoreau also believed that society caused people to wander through life aimlessly. By putting himself in nature, he was able to live with a purpose.

     An example of similar conclusions drawn by them are, "The horizon is a mans own view, how far he sees is his own choice." (Emerson) and "It is remarkable how many creatures live wild and free though secret in the woods, and still sustain themselves in the neighborhoods of towns, suspected by hunters only." (Thoreau) These quotes are similar because they both deal with perspective. Emerson is preaching about looking at life. Everything needed for you is there, you just have to realize and take advantage of it. Thoreau is preaching about looking at nature. There is so much there that you don't know about. If you just sit, watch, and learn about nature, it will begin to expose itself to you. Both quotes deal with perspective and looking into things deeper. Expand your view and accept more.

Post IV: "Civil Disobedience"

An example of a situation today where people are working for change in the name of justice and fairness is gun control. People are fighting against passing the law of gun control for many reasons. First, guns are a part of our amendments. The right to bear arms is guarenteed by the second amendment. Guns are used for many things like hunting, protection, having fun and more, but they also have caused many problems. In recent years there have been some school shootings including Sandy Hook elementary school where 20 children and 6 adults were fatally shot. Since then, people fought but congress failed to pass major gun-controll legislations. A couple days ago, another school shooting occurred. A senior at Arapaho High School shot two students (putting one in critical condition but neither died) then killed himself. After more and more massacres and tragedies occur, the question becomes a greater topic. Should there be a law banning all guns? People are fighting to ban the guns because they feel if they cut access to the guns, then there will be less shootings. People are also against banning guns because they feel that if the criminal knew that everyone had guns to protect themselves, then the criminal would think twice about the situation because it puts the criminal in danger knowing the people have guns to protect themselves. In my opinion, guns should not be banned. The gun doesn't shoot itself, its the person behind the gun that pulls the trigger. If guns were taken away, then the criminal would still have an urge to kill but with a knife, baseball bat, or whatever they could kill with (basically anything). Then what? Ban those too? In my opinion, its not the weapon its the person.
Thoreau said, "For government is an expedient by which men would fain succeed in letting one another alone; and, as has been said, when it is there not be a government in which majorities do not virtually decide right and wrong, but consequence?'' (Thoreau p.g. 2) This states that the government is interfering with the success of the people. If the government just left them alone and was less controlling, people would get along better. This relates to gun control because if the government stayed out of what the people did as individuals and as a community, the people would figure out their own problems and find success. This also applies when Thoreau says, "In which majorities decide only those questions to which the rule of expediency is applicable? Must a citizen ever for a movement, or in the least degree, resign his consequence then?" (Thoreau p.g. 1) This also applies because its stating that the majority or the government is making the choices. It should be the peoples choice. When something wrong happens, it the people to blame not the government.

Post V: Contemporary Example of Transcendentalism

     Steve Jobs is an example of transcendentalism in contemporary society because he shows intuition, optimism, self-reliance, and individualism. Steve Jobs in my mind is a full fledged transcendentalist. He took his small ideas and has changed the world. No matter where you walk today, you'll always see an apple product.
     "Remembering that you are going to die is the best way i know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose" (Steve Jobs) To me, this shows optimism. This quote will go as deep as you look at it. This is saying to be positive. Look at what you have and take nothing for granted. You're going to die any way and thats the ultimate price. Losing your life is the worst thing and nothing is as bad as it.
     "Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life... Don't let the noise of others opinions drown your inner voice" (Steve Jobs) This shows individualism and self-reliance. To me, its saying be yourself and do what you want to do. Rely on yourself and make your own decisions. Don't listen to society and do what you think is right. Live your own life and have fun.
     "What lies behind us and what lies before us are small mater compared to what lies within us" (Emerson) This quote by Emerson is significant because it shows individualism, self reliance and optimism. It shows individualism because it's talking about ones self. What lies in us is the greatest power on earth and you need to realize that. That is an example of self-reliance because you're thinking for yourself. Everything is small but you. This shows optimism because its being positive. You're not looking at your past, but realizing your potential and what you can do in the future.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwJsS_FIt0E

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZ0y-EM6YeU