Ralph Waldo Emerson, a figure classified as a philosopher, poet, essayist, and transcendentalist in 19th-century America, was born in Boston, USA in 1803 and entered Harvard University at the age of 14.
Emerson introduced the philosophy of “Transcendentalism,” which was a unique idea distinct from European philosophies. Emerson’s ideas are credited with assisting America in achieving intellectual independence from Europe. The main characteristics of transcendentalism are as follows:
- Human beings are inherently good but can be corrupted by society and institutions.
- Insight and experience are more important than logic.
- Spiritual experiences can be obtained by individuals rather than through organized religion.
- Nature is beautiful and should be respected in itself.
Emerson wrote various works, and his book “Self-Reliance” has been translated into several versions in Korea. I have encountered two translated versions, one titled “Stand alone at the center of the world” and the other titled “Confidence.”
“Ralph Waldo Emerson’s Self-Reliance”
Emerson is known for writing various essays, and “Self-Reliance” is not an essay he wrote directly but a compilation of his lecture contents. However, the author claims to have written all the texts before delivering the lectures. In other words, it is appropriate to consider this essay as something Emerson wrote directly.
The book containing the essays is titled “Self-Reliance,” which can be translated into Korean as “자신감” or “자기 의존.” Ultimately, the concept revolves around not relying on others and reflecting on oneself.
Even “Barack Obama,” who served as President of the United States, once mentioned in an interview that this book was the second most influential book for him after the Bible.
“A book containing various essays that evoke empathy”
The book contains various essays that evoke empathy. In overall context, it can be said to convey the message of “not dwelling on the past but striving for the future while doing one’s best in the present.” It emphasizes not imitating others but believing in oneself and pursuing one’s own thoughts.
“Society never advances.”
Emerson also conveys an interesting perspective, suggesting that society never advances. It is more about change than progress. In English, it is expressed as:
“Society never advances. It recedes as fast on one side as it gains on the other. Its progress is only apparent like the workers of a treadmill.”
The argument is that as humanity gains something, it loses something else. For example, with the invention of clocks, humanity forgot how to tell time based on the sun’s position. Society gains new technology but loses old instincts.
“Emerson’s book unfolds the story around the theme of self-reliance”
“Self-reliance” ultimately refers to believing in oneself and confidently pursuing the future. As society becomes more advanced and competitive, people tend to lose confidence. This book serves as a necessary read for those who have lost confidence in modern society, ending with Emerson’s final message.
- “Will you still gamble with the goddess of luck?
- Will you win or lose everything as she spins the wheel of fortune?
- Break up with her, as victories gained from her are unjust.
- Instead, engage in the game with the supreme judge of God, ‘Cause and Effect.’
- Work and obtain according to that ‘will,’ and you will have firmly planted your stake on the wheel of fortune, and henceforth, you can watch it turn without fear.
- Only you can bring peace to yourself.
- And only the triumph of principles can bring peace to you.”
“Stand alone at the center of the world (Self-Reliance)”
- Author: Ralph Waldo Emerson
- Publication Date: April 28, 2016
- ISBN13: 9788992969499
- Yes24: http://app.ac/vj6wEka43
Ralph Waldo Emerson, mwanafalsafa, mshairi, mwandishi wa insha, na mtaalamu wa mambo ya juu katika Amerika ya karne ya 19, alizaliwa huko Boston, Marekani, mwaka 1803 na kuingia Chuo Kikuu cha Harvard akiwa na umri wa miaka 14. Emerson alianzisha falsafa ya "Transcendentalism", ambayo ilikuwa wazo la kipekee tofauti na falsafa za Ulaya. Mawazo ya Emerson yanahusianishwa na kusaidia Marekani kufikia uhuru wa kiakili kutoka Ulaya. Sifa kuu za transcendentalism ni kama ifuatavyo: - Wanadamu ni asili nzuri lakini inaweza kuwa na uharibifu na jamii na taasisi. - Mawazo na uzoefu ni muhimu zaidi kuliko mantiki. - Maono ya kiroho yaweza kupatikana na watu mmoja-mmoja badala ya kupitia dini iliyopangwa. - Asili ni nzuri na inapaswa kuheshimiwa yenyewe. Emerson aliandika kazi mbalimbali, na kitabu chake <unk>Self-Reliance<unk> kimetafsiriwa katika matoleo kadhaa nchini Korea. "Kama ilivyoelezwa katika makala ya kwanza ya kitabu cha Ralph Waldo Emerson, ""Kujitegemea"" ni mkusanyiko wa masomo yake ya kibinafsi." Hata hivyo, mwandishi anadai kuwa aliandika maandishi yote kabla ya kutoa mihadhara. Kwa maneno mengine, ni sahihi kufikiria insha hii kama kitu ambacho Emerson aliandika moja kwa moja. Kitabu kilicho na insha hizo kinaitwa <unk>Self-Reliance,<unk> ambayo inaweza kutafsiriwa katika Kikorea kama <unk>자신감<unk> au <unk>자기 의존.<unk> Mwishowe, dhana hiyo inazunguka kutotegemea wengine na kutafakari juu ya mtu mwenyewe. Hata <unk>Barack Obama,<unk> ambaye alihudumu kama Rais wa Marekani, mara moja alitaja katika mahojiano kwamba kitabu hiki kilikuwa kitabu cha pili chenye ushawishi mkubwa kwake baada ya Biblia. <unk> Kitabu chenye insha mbalimbali ambazo huamsha hisia-mwenzi<unk> Kitabu hicho kina insha mbalimbali ambazo huamsha hisia-mwenzi. Katika muktadha wa jumla, inaweza kusemwa kuwa inatoa ujumbe wa "kutokuwa na maisha ya zamani lakini kujitahidi kwa siku zijazo wakati wa kufanya bora katika sasa". Inasisitiza kutoiga wengine lakini kuamini katika mtu mwenyewe na kufuata mawazo ya mtu mwenyewe. <unk> Jamii haipiti mbele kamwe.<unk> Emerson pia hutoa mtazamo wa kuvutia, akidokeza kwamba jamii haipiti mbele kamwe. Ni juu ya mabadiliko kuliko maendeleo. Katika Kiingereza, inaelezwa kama: <unk> Jamii haipiti mbele kamwe. Inarudi nyuma haraka upande mmoja kama inavyozidi upande ule mwingine. Maendeleo yake ni ya kuonekana tu kama wafanyakazi wa treadmill. <unk> Hoja ni kwamba kama ubinadamu hupata kitu, inapoteza kitu kingine. Kwa mfano, kwa kuvumbuliwa kwa saa, wanadamu walisahau jinsi ya kujua wakati kwa kutegemea mahali ambapo jua liko. Jamii hupata tekinolojia mpya lakini hupoteza hisia za zamani. "Kitabu cha Emerson kinaelezea hadithi karibu na mada ya kujitegemea. ""Kujitegemea" hatimaye inahusu kuamini katika mtu mwenyewe na kujiamini kufuatia siku zijazo. Kadiri jamii inavyozidi kuwa na maendeleo na ushindani, ndivyo watu wanavyoanza kupoteza uhakika. Kitabu hiki hutumika kama kusoma muhimu kwa wale ambao wamepoteza imani katika jamii ya kisasa, na kumalizika na ujumbe wa mwisho wa Emerson. - Je, bado utacheza kamari na mungu-mke wa bahati? - Je, utashinda au kupoteza kila kitu wakati yeye huzunguka gurudumu la bahati? - Kuvunja naye, kama ushindi alipata kutoka kwake ni haki. Badala yake, kushiriki katika mchezo na hakimu mkuu wa Mungu, "Sababu na Athari" - Kazi na kupata kulingana na kwamba "utaka", na utakuwa imara kupandwa mkopo wako juu ya gurudumu la bahati, na tangu sasa, unaweza kuangalia ni kurejea bila hofu. - Wewe peke yako ndio unaweza kupata amani. "Kama vile ilivyo kwa ""Mungu"" na ""Mungu"" na ""Mungu"" na ""Mungu"" na ""Mungu"" na ""Mungu"" na ""Mungu"" na ""Mungu"" na ""Mungu"" na ""Mungu"" na ""Mungu"" na ""Mungu"" na ""Mungu"" na ""Mungu"" na ""Mungu"" na ""Mungu"" na ""Mungu"" na ""Mungu"" na ""Mungu"" na ""Mungu"" na ""Mungu"" na ""Mungu"" na ""Mungu"" na ""Mungu"" na ""Mungu"" na ""Mungu"" na ""Mungu"" na ""Mungu"" na ""Mungu"" na ""Mungu"" na ""Mungu"" na ""Mungu"" na ""Mungu"" na ""Mungu"" na ""Mungu"" na ""Mungu"" na ""Mungu"" na ""Mungu"" na ""Mungu"" na ""Mungu"" na ""Mungu"" na ""Mungu"" na ""Mungu"" na ""Mungu"""