In his essay "Self-Reliance," Ralph Waldo Emerson champions individualism, spontaneity, nature, and intuition. Emerson subscribes to the belief that individuals should trust themselves and not seek answers in traditions, customs, or popular intellectuals. He believes that people should not apologize for their inconsistent nature and accept their initial thoughts and feelings. His ideas throughout the essay are aligned with the philosophy he subscribed to, Transcendentalism. Transcendentalism was an American philosophy in the mid-19th century that promoted individuality, neglected conformity, and championed intuitive thought. Emerson's goal in writing "Self-Reliance" was not only to exercise his philosophy but also to encourage readers to be independent, free-thinking individuals who are not ashamed of themselves. He warns readers not to conform to society or second guess themselves, but to have confidence in their intuition. "Self-Reliance" is essentially a treatise on individuality and authenticity. Emerson believes that individuals should look in the mirror and towards their natural environment for inspiration, which is an essential aspect of Transcendentalist thought, rather than conforming to modern standards of art.
hampions individualism, spontaneity, nature, and intuition. Emerson subscribes to the belief that individuals should trust themselves and not seek answers in traditions, customs, or popular intellectuals. He believes that people should not apologize for their inconsistent nature and accept their initial thoughts and feelings. His ideas throughout the essay are aligned with the philosophy he subscribed to, Transcendentalism. Transcendentalism was an American philosophy in the mid-19th century that promoted individuality, neglected conformity, and championed intuitive thought. Emerson's goal in writing "Self-Reliance" was not only to exercise his philosophy but also to encourage readers to be independent, free-thinking individuals who are not ashamed of themselves