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    Emerson argues that while society progresses through changes, this does not necessarily mean improvement. He believes that civilization results in the loss of old, instinctual skills and strengths. Emerson contrasts educated Americans with New Zealanders to show how moderns lose physical abilities despite technology. He criticizes over-reliance on notes and libraries, seeing it weaken practical skills like telling time. Additionally, Emerson questions claims of moral and intellectual advancement, arguing great people were comparable across eras. This implies to him that progress is not simply a function of time. He also discusses how simple tools historically achieved more than machinery and sees society changing but people as transient.

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    Emerson argues that while society progresses through changes, this does not necessarily mean improvement. He believes that civilization results in the loss of old, instinctual skills and strengths. Emerson contrasts educated Americans with New Zealanders to show how moderns lose physical abilities despite technology. He criticizes over-reliance on notes and libraries, seeing it weaken practical skills like telling time. Additionally, Emerson questions claims of moral and intellectual advancement, arguing great people were comparable across eras. This implies to him that progress is not simply a function of time. He also discusses how simple tools historically achieved more than machinery and sees society changing but people as transient.

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    8 views1 page

    Self Relliance

    Uploaded by

    parthagarwal759
    Emerson argues that while society progresses through changes, this does not necessarily mean improvement. He believes that civilization results in the loss of old, instinctual skills and strengths. Emerson contrasts educated Americans with New Zealanders to show how moderns lose physical abilities despite technology. He criticizes over-reliance on notes and libraries, seeing it weaken practical skills like telling time. Additionally, Emerson questions claims of moral and intellectual advancement, arguing great people were comparable across eras. This implies to him that progress is not simply a function of time. He also discusses how simple tools historically achieved more than machinery and sees society changing but people as transient.

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    Self-Reliance" by Ralph Waldo Emerson- Chapter Summary

    The excerpt from "Self-Reliance" by Ralph Waldo Emerson highlights the author's perspective
    on the nature of societal progress and the impact of civilization on human beings. Emerson
    argues that while society undergoes continual changes, transitioning from barbarism to
    civilization, and from poverty to wealth, these changes do not necessarily represent
    improvement. He emphasizes that for every new skill or knowledge acquired by society,
    something old and instinctual is lost.

    Emerson contrasts the well-equipped, educated American with the indigenous New Zealander,
    illustrating how the former has lost physical strength and natural instincts despite possessing
    modern conveniences. He criticizes the reliance on technology and the loss of practical skills,
    such as telling time by observing the sun, as well as the negative impact of excessive note-
    taking and reliance on libraries.

    The author also questions the moral and intellectual progress of society, arguing that there is
    no significant deviation in moral standards between different eras. He contends that despite
    advancements in science, art, religion, and philosophy, the great men of the past are
    comparable to those of the present, suggesting that progress is not measured by time.

    Emerson further discusses the potential drawbacks of advanced machinery, citing historical
    examples where simple tools achieved remarkable feats. He argues that the genius of humanity
    returns to the essential nature of man, and that society is like a wave, always moving forward,
    but the individuals within it are transient.

    Overall, Emerson's paraphrased ideas highlight his skepticism about the true benefits of
    societal progress and technological advancement, emphasizing the potential loss of essential
    human qualities and practical skills in the pursuit of civilization.

    Most Important Questions:

    1. How does Ralph Waldo Emerson critique societal progress and the impact of
    civilization on human beings in "Self-Reliance"?

    2. What examples does Emerson provide to illustrate the potential drawbacks of


    advanced civilization and the loss of essential human qualities?

    3. In what ways does Emerson challenge the notion of moral and intellectual progress in
    society, and how does he compare great men of different eras?

    4. According to Emerson, what are the potential negative effects of advanced machinery,
    and what historical examples does he use to support his argument?

    5. How does Emerson characterize the transient nature of society and the individuals
    within it, and what implications does this have for his views on progress and change?

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