“Self-Reliance” by Ralph Waldo Emerson Essay Example for Free

â€Å"Self-Reliance† by Ralph Waldo Emerson Essay In the essay entitled â€Å"Self-Reliance† written by Ralph Waldo Emerson, a clear and detailed account of how the author sees and defines self-reliance is presented in a classical manner of writing. The author has argued, through the different ideas he presented in his essay that non-conformity is important nowadays and the development of independent beliefs should be given attention by people. Likewise, the author has presented a view of how society is today using his own lenses, which means it came from his perspective. In defining what a genius is, Emerson mentioned that â€Å"to believe your own thought, to believe that what is true for you in your private heart is true for all men† are characteristics that make a person a genius (p. 17). He has so much emphasis on the ability of men to create ideas of their own and reinforce this by believing in it is a source of one’s ingenuity. Related to this is the idea of self-reliance where one person maintains a persona perspective and abides by it. Where this warrants non-conformity, the author argues that it is permissible and is likewise considered as the most acceptable behavior to achieve self-reliance. Whatever the response of men may be towards a diversion away from the norm, then it is to be treated without malice or second thought for a person should believe more on himself/herself. This also directs the person away from relying on the thoughts of others. In addition to this, the author mentioned that great philosophers and influential people from the past has earned their positions in the society because they have expressed their ideas, believed in it, and reinforced it through their arguments. From the author’s point of view, the society of today has lost the ability to make use of knowledge and gain it through definite means. From his words, The civilized man has built a coach, but has lost the use of his feet. He is supported on crutches, but lacks so much support of muscle. He has a fine Geneva watch, but he fails of the skill to tell the hour by the sun. (Emerson 29). In this sense, the men of today has been given the right tools for their needs but has lost the traditional means of acquiring knowledge. More so, information for them has been based so much on what they have built for themselves and less on relying on their own abilities to answer and solve daily problems. Apparently today, the availability of automatic technologies has paved the way for the society’s failure in developing people to rely on their own faculties and knowledge to respond to situations. From a personal point of view, the definition of self-reliance should take on the present circumstances which the societies are made to face. Today, people could be self-reliant through developing their own faculties and progressing through their careers using their own abilities and their own efforts. The hard-work of the people is an important aspect of self-reliance in today’s world because of the competition from each and every individual for the scarcity of resources and opportunities. Reliance on one’s own self in achieving heights would have to be developed through education, which has within its purpose the honing of faculties throughout the lifetime of individuals. Nonetheless, education would also have to be based on the own efforts of the individual as he/she climbs through the educational ladder. As one progresses and educates the self, one has to take into consideration the need to generate ideas and be critical of the facts presented. The academe actually serves as the training ground where the student hones the skills required in order to present self-generated ideas and facts and stand by these. More so, people should become self-reliant in terms of their relationship with other people. While it is good to listen to criticisms and ideas of other people, one should dare to stand up for their own opinion whether this may be in opposition to what the status quo wants. It could be remembered that change is among the constant things in this world and as people dare to make a change, they also wanted to stand up and be different from what the majority wants. Definitely, there are criticisms that are to be met and arguments from different groups and individuals. This is inevitable for they have their own judgment and perception of the world as they see it that leads to a clash of ideas. Moreover, there are social controls in the society that sometimes inhibit people from becoming self-reliant. These social controls tend to keep people in groups and rely on one another and when one wishes to be self-reliant, an individual should be prepared for the consequences attached to these social controls. Thus, people are able to become self-reliant because of the belief they have in the things they could do and in the knowledge they have. From experience, there is no harm in trying the beliefs enclosed in becoming self-reliant because of the experience it brings and the possible outcome of the action. It will further nourish the character of the person and encourages the people to make their own personal contributions from their own faculties. Thus, in becoming self-reliant, people have to be able to generate ideas of their own through education, stand by these and make good use, and be able to accept the consequences for their actions. Being self-reliant would make an individual capable of living in today’s society with the several challenges posed on being individualistic and relying on one’s own self. Work Cited Emerson, Ralph Waldo. Essays: First and Second Series. Stilwell, KS: Digireads. com Publishing, 2007.