Emerson's “Self-Reliance”: Optimistic But Unrealistic For The 21st Century

Part I of Essay
Ralph Waldo Emerson’s transcendental view of the world depicted in “ Self-Reliance” is optimistic but unrealistic for the 21st Century. If we all were to follow our own intuitions and thoughts I think we would find ourselves in a world of anarchy. The essay, “Self-Relianc ....

Part II of Essay
.... we are misunderstood and are not worthy of such popularity. Emerson makes a good point when he says not to overlook today’s youth. I think we need to put things into perspective and realize that kids aren’t going to stay kids forever. They will grow up to be adults and we have to teach them now to make good decisions because they will be running the world in the near future. The unrealistic side to Emerson’s philosophy is that now-a-days we all want to be appreciated. We don’t look towards the future and what our actions now will lead to. ....