Thursday, August 13, 2015
Transcendentalism discussion
Transcendentalism is something that occurs almost naturally in most people. It urges us to emphasize the individual, have a view point truly our own. This is why it is so popular, why so many people can relate to it. Because we all view the world from our own point of view. Outside influences have an impact on what path we choose, but in the end it is our choice, and our choice alone. The view points of others are so often, if not always, considered second. Transcendentalism champions our ability to be unique. That is why it denounces conformity, and loaths institutions that strip away someones individuality. And this can either incite extreme selfishness, or the most beautiful acts of creativity. Do you agree?
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I agree with your take on transcendentalism and its focus on the individual, and while the label of selfishness is sometimes spot on I feel as if it was merely made for the purpose of maintaining the conformity that transcendentalism so easily renders moot.
ReplyDeleteInteresting. So the idea of selfishness was created by society to keep the individual from becoming too expressive. Almost a way to keep the collective together, and shame those who ignore conformity. So then are the definitions of right and wrong are also forged by society? Is anything truly right or truly wrong? Is evil and good ways of shaming those who go too far, become too individualized? Of course people will say, there are still evil people who do you evil things. But is that them talking, or what society has taught them?
DeleteExactly, most of our definitions of right and wrong are set by society and it is the evolution of society which has led us to our beliefs and methods of punishing those who stray from them. Surely, there are certain topics which we as individuals hold in different regards because of our experiences (that society chooses to curb); however, we are born with a sense of right and wrong, similar to how we have all had transcendental thoughts.
DeleteHow can we be born with a sense of right and wrong. Both seemed to be gained through experience. The only right and wrong you're born with, is what makes you happy and what makes you miserable. If we had no other human interaction we'd only pursue a life we desire, right?
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