Non-Conformity and Rejection of Technology
Non-Conformity ~ "If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps he hears a different drummer." -Henry David Thoreau
Thoreau and Emerson prided themselves on the ideals of individualism and self-reliance rather than conforming to society's demands. Emerson stated in his essay, "Self-reliance", that "imitation is suicide". He insisted that the only way to gain knowledge was through knowledge of themselves. If man conforms, he will not be as successful and he doesn't know the extent of his abilities until he has tried. If a man conforms, then he will never know the full extent of his abilities and, therefore, will have failed an attempt in finding his true potential. Emerson also coined the phrase "to be great is to be misunderstood." This shows that transcendentalists believed that success comes from self understanding. If others misunderstand you it means you have succeeded in avoiding society's ills and the ills of conformity. Non-conformity is a major tenet of the Transcendentals.
Rejection of Technology~ "Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity!" -Henry David Thoreau
Thoreau believed that a simple life was the most successful and meaningful. Transcendentals did not believe in exceptional forms of technology and much preferred the quiet of nature to the roaring buzz of a thriving city. According to Emerson "In the woods is perpetual youth...in the woods we return to reason and faith." Technology brings along the ills of society and conformity, and the woods is safeguarded from all of these ills. What Emerson means by perpetual youth is the woods is free or corruption and so there is constant renewal and rebirth where the world is pure and untainted. There is room to grow and life is subject to change, but natural change. Secondly, reason and faith exist in the woods because there is innocence and untainted land. The woods lacks societies influence and is therefore simpler and more pure and good. The Translove of nature and pure life lead to their rejection of technology.
Thoreau and Emerson prided themselves on the ideals of individualism and self-reliance rather than conforming to society's demands. Emerson stated in his essay, "Self-reliance", that "imitation is suicide". He insisted that the only way to gain knowledge was through knowledge of themselves. If man conforms, he will not be as successful and he doesn't know the extent of his abilities until he has tried. If a man conforms, then he will never know the full extent of his abilities and, therefore, will have failed an attempt in finding his true potential. Emerson also coined the phrase "to be great is to be misunderstood." This shows that transcendentalists believed that success comes from self understanding. If others misunderstand you it means you have succeeded in avoiding society's ills and the ills of conformity. Non-conformity is a major tenet of the Transcendentals.
Rejection of Technology~ "Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity!" -Henry David Thoreau
Thoreau believed that a simple life was the most successful and meaningful. Transcendentals did not believe in exceptional forms of technology and much preferred the quiet of nature to the roaring buzz of a thriving city. According to Emerson "In the woods is perpetual youth...in the woods we return to reason and faith." Technology brings along the ills of society and conformity, and the woods is safeguarded from all of these ills. What Emerson means by perpetual youth is the woods is free or corruption and so there is constant renewal and rebirth where the world is pure and untainted. There is room to grow and life is subject to change, but natural change. Secondly, reason and faith exist in the woods because there is innocence and untainted land. The woods lacks societies influence and is therefore simpler and more pure and good. The Translove of nature and pure life lead to their rejection of technology.
A Transcendental would love this...
and hate this...
