Ralph Waldo Emerson's Good Life

Emerson’s Good Life (1)

“Do not seek yourself, outside yourself (Emerson 211).” Emerson suggests that we should live life based on our own intuitions. He proposes that we should live life coexisting in society without conforming to it. “Whoso be a man, must be a nonconformist (214).” Coexisting in society allows us to lead a life of our own inhibitions and desires. We should live a life for ourselves, not as though we live in a theater and our life is a play. Turning inward, one can find something greater. “It is easy in the world to live after the world’s opinion; it is easy in solitude to live after our own; but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude (215).” Emerson makes a distinction between reality, one’s natural self, and appearance, society. The realm of reality, according to Emerson, includes truth, inner self, intuition, and divine spirit. In contrast appearance is made up of society, illusion, gossip, and falsity. Those who choose to conform to society are forced into artificial behavior that is regarded as appropriate or acceptable. Therefore they are not being true to one’s self and are allowing society to choose their dreams.
Emerson believes you must look inside yourself to find a deeper truth, to live the best life possible. This life is attained by one who does not wear “masks” in society and chooses to live by their own heart. One may be concerned that Emerson’s individualism and libertarianism may lead to subjectivism. This is the idea that anything goes, and to do “whatever floats your boat.” Emerson beliefs are concerned with people not conforming to society and to focus on themselves. Conforming “loses your time and blurs the impression of your character (215)”, forcing you to conceal your true self. Emerson clearly states, “what I must do is all that concerns me, not what the people think (215).” This is the life he suggest we should live. There are some examples in which Emerson gives off vibes of an inconsiderate man. “Are they my poor? I tell thee, thou foolish philanthropist, that I grudge the dollar, the dime, the cent I give to such men as do not belong to me and to whom I do not belong (215).” This statement portrays a view of being against helping or feeling sorry for others. Buber talks about one who thinks of themselves can not do actions that are of any worth, but those who’s actions are not aimed at oneself are considered “humble” (293).
Considering Emerson’s view that he must do all that concerns him and not others, Buber may question his views as a subjectivist. Buber speaks of the Rabbi who sees the “road to redemption as a process involving two kinds of men, the proud who,...think of themselves, and the humble, who in all that matters think of the world. Only when pride subjects itself to humility can it be redeemed; and only when it is redeemed can the world be redeemed (293).” Therefore Emerson’s view of self-love, according to Buber are sin, and can only be redeem through humility and focus on
others. I agree with Emerson on some points of his “good life.” I believe that not conforming to society allows you to bring out truth, because you are not creating a false persona. It is important for us to be true to ourselves and not be ashamed of who we are. Our differences make us, and we should not hide them. I feel that accepting these differences allow us to find a true sense of happiness within ourselves. Although there are points made by Emerson that I do not agree on. His attitude about giving money to those in need seemed harsh. If you have the money to give, and there are those in need, then why not give it? You can not take it with you when you die, so I believe you should help others out. In this case you must step out yourself and into the other person’s shoes because you never know when you may be the one in need.