Ralph Waldo Emerson and Conceptions of the Natural World: Focusing on the Implications of Self-Reliance on the Emerging Environmental Movement

Background

In American history, Ralph Waldo Emerson remains a renowned man of letters. He established himself as a poet and emerged as an advocate of social reforms, a popular lecturer, and an essayist. Regarding nature and the attribute of transcendentalism, Emerson emerged as a leading figure in steering the perception that there exists a fundamental continuity between God (the divine), nature, and man (Emerson, 1971). In his philosophy, nature reflects a more profound reality or is a symbol. For a man to understand what is beyond nature, the understanding is likely to be revealed through nature itself.

Regarding the attribute of self-reliance, Emerson indicated that all individuals possess geniuses in themselves, and the geniuses manifest themselves or tend to be revealed when these individuals trust their thoughts, have faith in themselves, and trust themselves (Emerson, 1983). Furthermore, Emerson indicated that the genius in individuals tends to be revealed when they trust their passion and desire, as well as their feelings. He also proceeded and used examples of individuals who had achieved success via demonstrations of self-reliance to sensitize audiences regarding their role in shaping man’s interaction with nature or the environment.

It is imperative to highlight that the "genius" that Emerson acknowledged to exist in individuals constituted a belief in one's thought and a belief that what is deemed true for oneself holds for the rest of humankind. Some of the people that Emerson acknowledged to have trusted themselves and listened to their geniuses (while hearing and acting in accordance with God's voice) include Milton, Plato, and Moses (Firkins, 1915). However, he contended that in some instances, society tends to discourage an individual. Even in such circumstances, the essayist stated that the individuals' decision to remain true to the right track ends up working against the society's discouragement and, in turn, achieves the intended goal. Hence, Emerson indicated that trusting oneself and behaving in a manner that is deemed socially acceptable yields positive outcomes regarding the relationship between man and nature. In this essay, the main aim is to explore Emerson's ideology of self-reliance and the manner in which the ideology shapes man's interaction with nature. In so doing, the essay will culminate in the provision of insights regarding the implications of Emerson’s work on the emerging environmental movement.

Emerson’s Ideology of Self-Reliance – In Relation To Man’s Interaction with Nature

Regarding man’s interaction with nature and the role of self-reliance in steering the conservation of the environment, Emerson stated that nature’s beauty is worth acknowledging. Still, humans are yet to accept it fully. He says that the world's demands continue to distract people. Hence, nature continues to give, but the man's spirit of reciprocating what nature gives is yet to be unearthed (Emerson, 1971). It is imperative to highlight that Emerson's quest for self-reliance is reflected indirectly in the need for environmental appreciation. He highlighted that man is naturally suited to nature. As such, an experience of nature's "wholeness" requires one to separate himself from the distractions and flaws that the society continues to impose; translating into the role of self-reliance as a predictor of man's ability to experience nature's "wholeness" (Emerson, 1983; 9) Similarly, Emerson avowed that solitude forms a sole path through which man could interact with and engage in nature’s world to the desired extent. Hence, he stated that going into solitude as a pathway towards full engagement with nature’s world requires “a man needs to retire as much from his chamber as from society” (Firkins, 1915; 11)

Emerson stated further that the need for true solitude and utilize this state of self-reliance in conserving nature arises from the extent to which the nature profits man. He indicated that society and its distractions and flaws compromise man's quest to conserve the environment. Yet, it is this nature or earth that offers numerous benefits that shape man's survival. According to a Rocca and Miguel-Alfonso (2015), some of nature’s benefits that Emerson emphasized include the plants’ provision of animal feeds, the rain’s benefit to plants, the ice’s formation of rain, the wind’s blowing of vapor to the field, the sun’s evaporation of the sea (that eventually forms rain), and the role of the wind in sowing seeds via dispersal. Thus, Emerson indicated a need to conserve nature because man and nature depend on each other; yet societal distractions continue to stall the progress. From this pattern, the aspect of self-reliance and the need for true solitude towards establishing beneficial strategies and nature-friendly practices emerged (Sacks, 2003).

With the circulations mentioned above documented to be endless, Emerson affirmed that nature nourishes man. With God emerging as a mediator, Emerson further demonstrated the strong tie between man and nature (and, hence, the need for true solitude to curb societal distractions and flaws while seeking to conserve the environment) by discussing the subject of spirituality. Notably, he stated, "From the earth, as a shore, I look out into that silent sea. I seem to partake its rapid transformations: the active enchantment reaches my dust, and I dilate and conspire with the morning wind" (Emerson, 1971; 7) Indeed, this statement demonstrates that Emerson perceived the wind, a part of nature, and man as one. Additionally, Emerson emphasized that everything on earth needs to be moral and spiritual in such a way that “goodness” characterizes the relationship between humans and nature. Overall, it is evident that Emerson advocated for the need for man to conserve nature. This conservation is likely to be successful if he strives for true solitude by separating or isolating himself from distractions and flaws associated with society's rest.

The Implications of Emerson’s Ideologies of Self-Reliance and Nature for the Emerging Environmental Movement

When Emerson and his associates sparked the spirit of transcendentalism, the period around 1836 was witnessing significant technological and industrial expansion in America (Emerson, 1983). These expansions were making significant advances in the entire country, having been documented as newly prosperous. Thus, Emerson’s work on self-reliance and its role in steering the conservation of nature proved important in such a way that, from the initial stages of America’s technological and industrial expansion, he predicted some of the potential effects of the developments on the relationship between man and nature. Particularly, Emerson believed that America's technological and industrial advancement, if left unchecked, could separate man from the inspiration associated with nature. Hence, the need to protect the environment while pursuing industrial and technological development prompted Emerson to strive for self-reliance and unity between man and nature. Therefore, Emerson's work teaches or sensitizes societal members about the importance of steering developments while remaining sensitive and responsive to nature's demands and even ensuring future sustainability. The implication for the emerging environmental movement is that Emerson's ideas are insightful and aid in supporting the quest for environmental conservation by highlighting the major benefits of nature and how unchecked economic development could hamper the positive relationship and supportive role evident in the interaction between nature and man.

It is also worth noting that Emerson argued for a new approach towards the meaning or definition and understanding of nature. Particularly, he indicated that the universe hosts the soul and nature. Hence, he believed that humanity's excitement and curiosity towards the establishment or creation of new things had been eroded by industrialization and over-reliance on histories and theories that have been created, rather than observing nature on one’s own. The eventuality is that Emerson advocated for a new definition of nature as a way of sensitizing audiences about the crucial role of environmental conservation and how the latter action might restore a positive relationship between man and nature, with man and nature perceived to be one and reliant on each other. Indeed, he suggested the need for man to understand nature by casting out historians’ teachings and outside theories in their entirety and, instead, immerse oneself in the aspect of nature. As concurred by Rocca and Miguel-Alfonso (2015), this immersion ensures that man gains an opportunity towards the provocation of greater insights into nature's world. Thus, Emerson's work proves crucial and contributory to the emerging environmental movement by steering a different approach in which histories of the past generations' beliefs are no longer relied upon. Instead, his approach advocates for the dependence on the current generation's thoughts. An individual's perception of nature, which accrues from the realization of true solitude that is free from societal distractions and flaws, determines the meaning of nature and man’s interaction with the same. As contended by Firkins (1915), Emerson’s illustrations are beneficial to the emerging environmental movement in such a way that they do not just accept the majority of the past impersonal theories.

Emerson contributed further to the emerging environmental movement by indicating that man himself is a leading contributor to environmental destruction. To emphasize how man has continually taken nature for granted, Emerson used the example of stars. He stated that if the stars appeared only once in every 1000 years, the impact they would pose is likely to be great. However, since they appear daily across the sky, man tends to take them for granted − because they are ever-present (Sacks, 2003). Thus, he emphasizes the need for a new direction and understanding of nature. It is also worth noting that through the new understanding of nature, Emerson supposes that the trend might attract new initiatives seeking to restore the existence of humankind and nature as one, by devising and implementing strategies that promise to foster environmental conservation efforts.

Conclusion

In summary, Emerson's religious or moral beliefs about nature played a crucial role in shaping man's perception of and relationship with the environment. Regarding how he feels, Emerson mentions God, which emphasizes that man and nature are one and that they are both the creation of God. Hence, man’s existence is dependent on nature or the environment and vice versa. It is imperative to note that Emerson's ideas of self-reliance and the interaction between man and the environment emerged at a time when America was experiencing significant technological and industrial advances. Whereas the latter practices promise economic prosperity, Emerson predicted adversities such as environmental degradation and linked these adverse outcomes to man's separation from nature. Thus, the works played a contributory role in steering the emerging ecological movement's goals and objectives. In particular, the latter mission was accomplished by sensitizing audiences to the significance of nature and the environment in determining man's survival and the quality of life he enjoys. As such, Emerson's work is worth acknowledging because it emphasizes the need for man to distance himself from distractions and flaws associated with mainstream society. In this case, the distractions and flaws involve technological and industrial advancements that are implemented without considering the criticality of environmental friendliness. By achieving this goal, Emerson highlighted that true solitude is possible and, in turn, steers success in a new direction that defies the histories and theories that characterize the traditional society's definition of the relationship between man and the environment. Overall, Emerson remains renowned for its significant contribution to the emerging environmental movement's goals, arguing that nature should not be treated as property. Rather, man needs to perceive nature or the environment as part of him. This change in perception is likely to lead to the implementation of efforts to conserve the environment, with both man and nature perceived as God’s creations in a mutually beneficial relationship.