Emerson and Slavery

Emerson and Slavery research papers show that Ralph Waldo Emerson was a philosopher that had a diverse thought process. Paper Masters will help you explain Emerson's philosophy on slavery in a custom research paper.

Ralph Waldo Emerson developed into a fearless abolitionist in a time when America was plagued with the question of what to do about slavery.Research papers on his philosophy on slavery illustrate it stemmed from a genuine concern for his fellow man and belief in the upright nature of the human spirit. Emerson's concern with proposing the active power of language--both spoken and written--in constructing an emergent culture that would be different from the cultures of Europe is a central interest. His attention to what it means to make something "new," and his concern about the influence of the past, of books and monuments, marks him as an important figure in the production of a "national" literature. Philosophy research papers on Emerson should focus on the following:

• Investigation of reading as creative action
• Emerson's efforts to examine the authority and effects of religious and educational institutions
• Emerson's help to frame discussions about literature and education for subsequent generations.

As a member of the Boston cultural and religious elite of the early nineteenth century, Emerson reflects both the immersion in and allegiance to English culture and the struggles of that American generation to become something more than a patronized younger cousin. The research paper on Emerson and slavery shows Emerson's tumultuous personal life--his resignation from the ministry, the deaths of his young wife, son, and brothers, his own ill health-- tested his persistence and seemingly unflappable energy and make his advocacy of "practical power" not an abstract or distanced issue.

Emerson's Philosophy

A study of Emerson's treatment of slavery in his works is best begun by investigating his philosophy. Emerson strongly believes that ethics should be the foundation of one's life and the foundation of these ethics can only be found in nature. In this way the ethics become a religion in themselves.