Ralph Waldo Emerson?

Question

If Ralph Emerson was alive what would he think are the most important problems facing our nation today and why?
How would he recommend fixing these problems?

Answer 1

Mr. Emerson would be mollified by the situation in the Middle East, and in India and Pakistan. Some of the ancient teachings he studied which would shape many of his philosophies on life originated from these areas.
His studies on nature and being a close acquaintance of Henry Thoreau would make him a word class environmentalist. Man's encroachment on the environment would certainly distress him. I could envision him taking on international heavyweights like the World Trade Organization and OPEC.
As is his fashion, he would probably infiltrate the international lecture circuit to attempt to create global awareness and world unity. Being a minister also, the probability of him utilizing the pulpit as a sounding board would be great. Perhaps donning a mega-sized evangelistic crusade would be his calling. He may also aspire to politics if his methodology failed him.
One thing can be certain, his ideology wouldn't let him remain idle. His system of beliefs and morals would find a way to people's ears and hearts.

Answer 2

He was the creator of the Transcendalist philosophy which means he came to believe than man can often" transcend", or rise above his bad circumstances, by positive actions and thoughts.

So Emerson would no doubt be focused on our most pressing problems, finding positive ways to fix them. He would hate poverty and injustice and he would fear our lack of use of alternate fuel sources which will soon kill America if we don't find something besides oil to power our homes and cars.

The next time we suffer a natural disaster like a severe hurricane, Al Qaeda is poised to destroy the oil refineries in Saudi Arabia. If we have no alternate fuel sources, we are toast.

Emerson would no doubt address this issue first since it is a top priority. He would ask us to become active to create new cars and home building plans that make our dependence upon oil a thing of the past.

It can be done! Start by funding wind power when you pay your electric bill. I do. Then learn how to use solar panels, ethanol, and sugar cane as energy sources.

You are called "help me". You must also help!

Answer 3

I think he would be extremely concerned with United Nations. He was part of a group of people who believed in transcendentalism. He believed God is immanent in each person and in nature and that people's intuition is the highest source of knowledge. This kind of thinking led people to be optimistic centered on individualism, self-reliance, and rejection of traditional authority. How would he recommend fixing these problems? Well, I think he would have started a movement on social reform like he did when he spoke against slavery. I think he would start a new spiritual and intellect within the people.

Answer 4

I first read Waldo 25 years or so ago, and many of the phrases from "Self-Reliance" have stayed with me. One of my favorites: "You can't plant an oak tree in a flower pot." If you truly love Waldo, you should have a peek at his extensive journals. They are a gold mine. I suggest this with some trepidation, as you may dive in and never climb out.

Answer 5

While I haven't read him in a while, I know that he had condemned the very idea of man flying in his writings.

I think he would be absolutely upset and horrified to see that we can now fly in airplanes.

Answer 6

I think he would see our inability to see the big picture that we are all connected as the main problem.

Not sure what he would suggest doing about it though.

Answer 7

he would proably think deforestation and other resource exhausting problems.