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American Culture and Philosophy

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Institution

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American Culture and Philosophy

Short Answer #1

The Declaration of Independence discusses why the colonists decided to break away from

Britain. In contrast, Notes on the State of Virginia talks about Jefferson’s observations and

thoughts on the state of Virginia. The most apparent conflict between “The Declaration of

Independence” and “Notes on the State of Virginia” is Jefferson’s view on human rights. In the

“Declaration of Independence,” Jefferson argues that all men are created equal and have the

inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. However, in “Notes on the State of

Virginia,” Jefferson argues for white supremacy and states that “all men are not created equal”

because some races are “inferior to others.” This conflict can be seen in Jefferson’s statements

about black people, such as: “They [blacks] have within themselves the seeds of improvement;

they will soon be equal to the other races of men in intelligence and virtue.” 

The conflicts suggest that opinions on race and human rights in the United States have

been experiencing change since Jefferson wrote these texts, with some supporting equality.

Jefferson’s view that some races are inferior to others continues to be supported by many people

in the United States today. This is evident in how discussions about race are often framed in

America. For example, many people continue to argue that black people are inferior to white

people and that this justifies laws and policies which discriminate against black Americans. On

the other hand, it is evident that Jefferson’s views on race and human rights have changed since

he wrote “Notes on the State of Virginia.” Today, many people in the United States view black

people as equal to white people and believe that they should be able to exercise all of their

human rights.

Short Answer #3 

Boudinot’s “An Address to the Whites” and Apess’s “Looking Glass” present both

similarities and differences. First, both authors invoke Christianity to encourage their audience to

reflect on the way the audience treats Native Americans. However, Boudinot’s “An Address to

the Whites” is more optimistic in its message, while Apess’s “Looking Glass” is more critical.

Additionally, whereas Boudinot uses biblical references throughout his work, Apess largely

avoids using religious language in favor of more concrete examples. Finally, both authors call for

better treatment of Native Americans, but Apess’s work is more specific in its demands. Overall,

the similarities between these two works are apparent, but the differences provide exciting

insights into how each author approaches this critical issue.

There are some reasons why the two writers could approach the topic from

different/similar directions. First, both authors are white and from the United States. Both were

raised in a culture that Christianity heavily influenced. Both authors write about racial injustices

experienced by Native Americans from a personal perspective, which gives their work an

emotional resonance that is difficult to replicate. However, Boudinot’s “An Address to the

Whites” is more explicitly political in its demands, while Apess’s “The Christian Narrative of the

American Indians” focuses more on theological reflection. Boudinot calls for white Americans to

recognize their racial privilege and to work towards dismantling institutional racism, while

Apess encourages Christians to become more aware of the spiritual dimensions of Indigenous

life and culture.

By invoking Christianity, these authors call on their audience to reflect on how they treat

Native Americans. In doing so, these works help to shift the public discourse around race and

racism in America. They also serve as important reminders that injustices against Native

Americans have a long history and continue to this day. By highlighting how Christianity can be
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used to address racial injustices, these works help to shift the cultural conversation around race in

America in a positive direction.

Essay #2

Transcendentalism by Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, and Frederick Douglass

 Transcendentalism is a philosophical movement that began in the mid-1800s in the

United States. It was initially based on ideas about nature and human connection to it but later

developed into a broader movement that included beliefs in self-reliance and individualism. The

early leaders of Transcendentalism included Ralph Waldo Emerson, Frederick Douglass, and

Henry David Thoreau. Emerson was the founder of American Transcendentalism, while Thoreau

significantly influenced the later development of the movement. They both believed in using

nature to help people understand themselves and their place in the world. Ralph Waldo Emerson

was considered the father of Transcendentalism. He believed in self-reliance, individualism, and

intuition. Emerson also thought that people could find God through nature and that humans were

a part of nature, not separate from it. 

Henry David Thoreau was another well-known Transcendentalist. He is best known for

his book Walden, which detailed his experience living in nature for two years. Thoreau believed

in living a simple life, and he also believed in using nature to help people understand themselves.

Frederick Douglass was an abolitionist and civil rights activist who wrote about

Transcendentalism. He believed that people could change the world by working together and that

through self-education, people could learn to see things in a new way. Douglass was very critical

of traditional religion, which he saw as limiting people’s ability to think for themselves. He is

considered one of the earliest black Americans to write about Transcendentalism.

There are several ways in which Transcendentalism is different from the other views.

First, Emerson and Thoreau were more spiritual than political in their expression of

Transcendentalism. Secondly, while Douglass supported human rights, he also criticized

traditional religion for its limitations on people’s thinking. Finally, while Emerson and Thoreau

believed in using nature to help people understand themselves, Douglass focused on how people

could use nature to change the world. These differences make Transcendentalism an exciting

expression of thought, and it has been influential in both American culture and philosophy.

Contemporary thinkers such as Ken Wilber have also cited Transcendentalism as a significant

influence on their work.

A few reasons might have caused the differences in view of Transcendentalism among

the three historians. However, the most prominent are weaved around their goals of using

Transcendentalism and their varying beliefs. Emerson and Thoreau were more spiritual in their

expression of Transcendentalism, while Douglass was more critical of traditional religion. This

difference may have been due to their different backgrounds. Emerson was a minister, while

Thoreau was an abolitionist and civil rights activist. Douglass may have seen these positions as

giving him the authority to speak out on matters of spirituality and politics. Finally, while

Emerson and Thoreau believed in using nature to help people understand themselves, Douglass

focused on how people could use nature to change the world. Their different beliefs about

religion also contributed to this perspective. Emerson believed in using spirituality to understand

oneself, while Thoreau and Douglass felt that Transcendentalism could help people understand

the divine in nature. These differences make Transcendentalism an interesting expression of

thought, and it has been influential in both American culture and philosophy.
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Ralph Waldo Emerson was the first significant exponent of Transcendentalism, and he

formulated its central tenets. Emerson believed that there is inherent goodness in all people and

that genuine self-reliance comes from understanding this goodness. Henry David Thoreau built

on Emerson’s ideas and asserted that true knowledge comes from a direct, personal experience of

the world rather than from secondary sources like books or lectures. Frederick Douglass, another

prominent Transcendentalist thinker, argued that to gain freedom and equality for African

Americans, they must learn to understand and embrace their inner strength. All of these thinkers

contributed significantly to the development of Transcendentalism as a philosophical movement.

How the Differences Contribute to the Understanding of Transcendentalist Philosophy

Historically, Transcendentalism is a philosophical movement that emphasizes the

inherent goodness of humanity, the importance of direct personal experience over traditional

sources of knowledge, and the need for individuals to strive for freedom and equality. These

ideas are expressed by Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, and Frederick Douglass,

respectively, and they are collectively credited with helping to form the Transcendentalist

movement. Emerson, in particular, is considered to be the movement’s leading thinker. He

formulated the central tenets of Transcendentalism—namely that there is inherent goodness in all

people and that genuine self-reliance comes from understanding this goodness—and he helped to

spread these ideas across America. Thoreau and Douglass also contributed significantly to the

development of Transcendentalism, and their ideas emphasized the need for individuals to strive

for personal freedom and self-reliance. Ultimately, Transcendentalism is a philosophical

movement that emphasizes the importance of individual liberty and self-reliance. It has

significantly impacted American culture, and its tenets remain influential today.
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Their expression of Transcendentalism helps people understand philosophy in a way that

is accessible and practical. Transcendentalism emphasizes the importance of individual liberty

and self-reliance, two principles that are essential to American democracy. It has significantly

impacted American culture, and its tenets remain influential today. One of the most critical ways

Transcendentalism has influenced American culture is its emphasis on individual liberty and

self-reliance. Transcendentalists believe that these are essential principles of democracy and have

worked to promote them in both political and social contexts. For example, Emerson argued that

the only way to achieve freedom is through self-reliance: “If we would learn to labor soon and

well, let us endeavor to be our masters.” Similarly, Thoreau argued that individuals should focus

on their inner experience rather than relying on external authorities to guide their lives. These

ideas have significantly impacted American democracy, and they continue to play an essential

role in the country’s culture.