Emerson and Society

Emerson believes that an individual should define themselves in society based on their individual actions and thoughts.  One must not rely on anyone to make decisions for them.  Society must be based off of individual efforts and thoughts instead of people copying others.  "To believe your own thought, to believe that what is true for you in your private heart is true for all men" (Self-Reliance, 19).  Emerson is saying in this quote that people must be individuals and must believe in their own thoughts.  They cannot rely on other people to think for them because the society will not prosper.  By everyone believing in their own thoughts and having individuality, everyone in the society will benefit.  "Society everywhere is in conspiracy against the manhood of every one of its members" (Self-Reliance, 21).  The way society is now is that people must agree with each other to achieve greatness and better the society, a conformist society.  Emerson does not agree with that because he feels that people should be non-conformists and have their own individual thoughts and ideas.  This ideal society, according to Emerson, would only be possible if people start thinking and believing in their own thoughts and ideas and not rely on other people to do things for them. People must leader by using their own ideas as their focus.  The society will eventually benefit when people are all non-conformists.