February 12Self-Reliance: EmersonPage 1841. What was so admirable about these three men is that they were alone in the sense that they thought for themselves. Their actions and writings were not just to please the public but to please themselves and do what they knew was correct. 2. Society treats nonconformists with a certain sense of disdain and avoidance. We have been trained in society to listen to the people, think for the people, and act for the people. When someone goes against this norm and acts for themselves they are looked down upon. Society looks upon nonconformists with a sense of sour displeasure. 3. Consistency in our beliefs and actions should not be looked upon as a virtue because each day is a new day and in a new day we have new experiences that may cause our views to change from the views of yesterday. 4. Reflex finding the people you’ve wronged and asking for their forgiveness (eaiser way, decision becomes theirs not yours)Directyou have to decide whether or not you forgive yourself. If you do this honestly it’s a lot harder to forgive yourself than for someone else to forgive you.5. Traveling is a ”fools paradise” because it means that you must travel out of your own environment to be able to explore. A man full of wisdom should be able to stay at one’s own home and still explore the depths of his mind. Imitation resembles traveling because in travelingwe week to not be ourselves; to escape from our own reality, save for the quests of knowledge and art. NOTES BELOWNotesExistentialism a chiefly 20th century philosophical movement embracing diverse doctrines but centering on analysis of individual existence in an unfathomable universe and the plight of the individual who must assume ultimate responsibility for acts of free will without any certain knowledge of what is right or wrong or good or bad- Emerson o Transcendentalist  American school in mid-1800’s (starts in 1820’s) (think about country becoming independent in 1776) Group of intellectuals and scholars living in new England Concerned with the shape America was taking; what did we want new our country to be about Are we the kind of country that OWNS other people? ((anti)slavery) Industrial revolution taking place during this time- Basic social changes occurred(poor, middle, and upper class)- Technology advances- TRANSOPRTATIONo Easier to travel farther around the world- SOCIAL MEDIA More and more people becoming literate (not just rich white men)- Technological advances in printing - It was illegal to teach slaves how to read and write (knowledge is power)- (+)People felt as though they could have more of a direct impact in government and society(-)Social media used for WRONG purposes. We don’t need everyone’s input. Not as honest, you can hide behind what you put out there meaning you aren’t as liable as you once were. (-) The individual was hiding behind what they put in the paper. (Anonymous editorials etc…) (-) INCREASING INFLUENCE OF OUTSIDE SOURCES- If you say something stupid what is the worst that will happen?o Society has a problem with thinking that their ideas are wrong and the people around them are going to think less of them. What is the worst that will happen if you say something stupid? What if your point is valid and perhaps even groundbreaking?o Emerson pretty much says that if you are concerned with what others think of you, you won’t be able to accomplish great things. Think about young children, do they give a shit about what others think? NO! They’ll just blurt out the truth and do what they want What happens to you that you lose this sense of “not giving a shit”- You must learn to “play nice” with others- You are expected to grow up and show restraint.- This “proper” and “improper” behavior doesn’t really effect how society run but it does affect how you fit in with others.- You are expected to conform Emerson says that you should act as you want and express yourself. If society doesn’t like it then its societies problem, not yours. - You will be happier if you express yourself There was a conclusion that if everyone acted on their own accord societywould collapse. - Would society really collapse or would morals uphold the fabric of society. Why don’t people act like themselves?- 1. Fear of judgment/fear of being rejected/desire to “fit in”.- 2. We are afraid to change our minds and look inconsistent. (look at the political side of this, you are ostracized for changing you mind). o Emerson says that you should say what you think today in hard words, and tomorrow, say what you think in hard words even if it the exact opposite of what you said today.o Don’t worry about the judgment or questioning of others.o Spontaneity is what makes humans human We tend to dwell on the past and focus on the future. We often don’t live in the present.  Emerson says that we spend almost all of our time on the past and the future. Doing this is cutting off our spirituality and that we are shutting offlife. o Need to spiritually isolate ourselves somewhat When we identify ourselves as part of a group we lose some of our individuality When you become part of a group you are judged as part of the group- This is actually an ACCEPTABLE mentality according to Emerson because you wouldn’t have joined the group if you didn’t believe in what the group believes. (think about religion)o Finding a way to make right with yourself and other people. “getting a clean slate” Reflex finding the people you’ve wronged and asking for their forgiveness (eaiser way, decision becomes theirs not yours) Directyou have to decide whether or not you forgive yourself. If you do this honestly it’s a lot harder to forgive yourself than for someone else to forgive you.o Traveling  Thinks its okay if you are going for education or arts Vacations are a foolish quest because you’re attempting to “escape” by traveling to all these marvelous places.- Instead of traveling, explore yourself and you’re surroundingo Don’t imitate and borrow, create.  Blames our educational system because it fosters restlessness and desire to travel - Being forced to sit in a classroom causes their minds to wander offto other places. o You need to figure out what you’re destined to do and DO IT Uses Shakespeare as an example- Shakespeare never went to