1. The Limits of Transcendentalism
... Emerson, asserting, "I am not responsible for the successful working of the machinery of society"(12). Here, I believe, is potentially the most damaging aspect of the Transcendentalist philosophy of individualism. Where would our country be without the selfless, philanthropic endeavors of such great men as John D. Rockefeller, Andrew Carnegie, and Julius Rosenwald? Such charitable actions touch our collective hearts and stoke the ... fires of good will that lurk beneath the rigid exterior that insulates us from the harsh realities of society. Were ... the American public to become so s...
- Word Count: 1633
- Approx Pages: 7
- Grade Level: Undergraduate