The Main Characteristics Of Emerson 's Ideal Education

Emerson's message is one of non-conformity and individuality. He views every man as unique within, and feels society, exterior elements and tradition are man's downfall. He urges us to be a product of ourselves, to live in the

In the essay, “Education”, Ralph Waldo Emerson, a transcendentalist thinker, asserts that Education is damaged and he knows of a solution – the educators. He develops this claim by first introducing the paradox linking “Genius and Drill”, expressing his ideal method of teaching. Throughout the essay, Emerson tends to have a condemning tone against the educator but towards the end he changes it into a comforting one. Emerson’s purpose is to present an alternative style of teaching in order to persuade educators to use the teaching method by using paradoxes, rhetorical questions, and shifts in tone. He establishes an informative and didactic tone for educators who value attention to detail.

1. Emerson's view of an ideal education is respect for what the child wants to pursue. Emerson talks about how a teacher and the parents should respect a childs interests and curiosity. Emerson says, "…to keep his naturel, but to stop off his uproar, fooling, and horseplay." (pg.102). Here Emerson suggests that while a teacher should respect the child's interests, the teacher should also discipline and teach the child manners. Emerson also believes that a child should not be in a strict, traditional classroom, and instead should be allowed to pursue their interests independently.

"In the woods, we return to reason and faith. There I feel that nothing can befall me in life, - no disgrace, no calamity (leaving me my eyes), which nature cannot repair. Standing on the bare ground, - my head bathed by the blithe air and uplifted into infinite space, - all mean egotism vanishes. I become a transparent eyeball. I am nothing. I see all. The currents of the Universal Being circulate through me; I am part or particle of God."

Emerson probably would imagine an adult that would emerge from an education based on the principles he supports would be hungry for the truth, would look towards the future and learning, would not be afraid to share his ideas but what know for the most part right from wrong, and he would have enthusiasm associated to learning. This adult be it a girl or boy will be a college of knowledge or a wealth of knowledge with their own thoughts and opinions.

Another reason Emerson’s form of education should be adopted by our school is because students will enjoy learning more. If children were given the opportunity to learn about what they thought to be interesting or important, they would be willing to put more effort and passion into whatever they are studying. Emerson writes on

Emerson has issue with society. He believes that the conformity and “encroachment on peoples’ liberties [hindered the individual.] He says people should look for individual freedom, and in finding that freedom, people will achieve self-reliance” (Yanella 4, 13). More so Emerson does not trust the system that governs society. He sees society as a “joint stock company that is in conspiracy with every one of its members” (“Self-Reliance” 535). Society can be seen as a hindrance on individual thought because a lot of times people will do what society or authority tells them to do without thinking of themselves first.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "People seem not to see that their opinion of the world is also a confession of their character." This quote is a belief that your beliefs show innermost self. Emerson believes that your thoughts and ideas of the world reflect your true self. I agree that your mental outlook of the world is a representation of your real character. Regardless of whether or not you expressed those thoughts and ideas out loud, they still show your true colors. Opinions are just another way of showing the world who you really are. Your attitude on the certain topics and people, marks your stance on the world and show your true beliefs.

Not only did Emerson bring up great men, he also talked about the Bible and connected his ideas to God. In the first paragraph, Emerson speaks not only of Moses, but also the trumpets of the Last Judgement. In doing so, he describes how fear holds us back from being an individual, having individual thoughts. Somewhat contradicting to himself, in the second paragraph he says “God will not have his work manifest by cowards”, meaning that men need to be original and not live in fear of judgement for their individuality, despite God having been responsible for the trumpets of the Last

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind.” Emerson is a firm believer of maintaining self-reliance and values rather than following the crowd. He also explains that in order to be truly successful in life, a person must make decisions and trust in his or her judgment. In today’s society, teenagers are more likely to not be self-reliant because the teens feel they will be judged for having different beliefs. People today need to realize that they should not conform to be like the rest of the world, they must not depend on the judgment and criticism of others, and people must refuse to travel somewhere in order to forget their personal problems. Through Emerson’s piece, readers are able to

Emerson has a great style of writing that opens the eyes on readers to new perspectives. Emerson wanted the future societies to change their ways and he

“The subject of the Education of Women of the higher classes is one which has undergone singular fluctuations in public opinions” (Cobbe 79). Women have overcome tremendous obstacles throughout their lifetime, why should higher education stand in their way? In Frances Power Cobbe’s essay “The Education of Women,” she describes how poor women, single women, and childless wives, deserve to share a part of the human happiness. Women are in grave need of further improvements in their given condition. Cobbe suggests that a way to progress these improvements manifests in higher education, and that this will help further steps in advance. Cobbe goes on to say that the happiest home, most grateful husband, and the most devoted children came from a woman, Mary Sommerville, who surpassed men in science, and is still studying the wonders of God’s creations. Cobbe has many examples within her paper that shows the progression of women as a good thing, and how women still fulfill their duties despite the fact that they are educated. The acceptance of women will be allowed at the University of New England because women should be able to embrace their abilities and further their education for the benefit of their household, their lives, and their country.

In, “The American Scholar,” Ralph Waldo Emerson talk about his displeasure about how societal curriculum replicated person after another, in order to clarify that there are more efficient way to become a successful scholar. In this essay, Emerson has made distinctions between the 'old world thinking' of Europe and America. Emerson also thinks the American way should be new and different from old word thinking. Along with this main point, Emerson believes an American Scholar should be "Man Thinking,” which means being more independent, and students should get knowledge by their first hand experience through things such as nature, action, and books. In the speech at Harvard University, Emerson’s audience were a group of students from Harvard

Ralph Waldo Emerson’s “Self-Reliance” was written in 1841 in New England during the Transcendentalist Movement, which was a revolt against the “Age of Reason” and the beginning of Romanticism. Emerson’s essay is about Transcendentalism, the belief that every human has his own way of thinking and personal inborn knowledge to build his opinion, independent from the common beliefs of the community and he should believe in and express his opinion to be successful. Emerson supports the idea of Transcendentalism by urging his readers to trust their own ideas, beliefs and common sense, to listen to and to trust their inner voice and to hold the popular opinion back from influencing their way of thinking, if they want to be successful. He tells

The late 18th century can be known as the historical period of the Enlightenment. During this time, society was undergoing drastic changes that would impact people even today. These changes were known as “reforms,” and played a big role in politics and ruling during this time period. One of the bigger reforms of this time was that which would grant women a higher education and place them in a position closer to their male counterparts. The enlightenment authors, Jean Jacques Rousseau and Mary Wollstonecraft, took part in a debate in which they argued about the purpose and education of women. In an article recently written in The New York Times by Nicholas