Ralph Waldo Emerson's Self-Reliance: Critical Analysis

There are different interpretations of the word danger such as to lean over the edge of a railing on a tall building or not drinking enough water. Similarly, there are dangers to being too open-minded or close-minded. The truth lies within realizing that there are dangers in both sides. Ironically, this could ultimately result in one being open-minded. It is not fair to say one is completely dangerous than the other. It can easily be described as a spectrum, like political beliefs. There is very clearly the left and the right, but there is also the radical left and right. Too much of something is not necessarily healthy; however, as one that strives to be an educated, truth-seeking individual, being close-minded is leaning over the edge of

That is how they adapt to their surroundings and recognize new sounds, smells, and tastes. In Ralph Waldo Emerson’s piece Self- Reliance, he makes a point about the youth and their desire to learn, opposed to their elders, and speaks of how “Infancy conforms to nobody: all conform to it…So God has armed youth and puberty and man-hood no less with its piquancy and charm…” (70). What Emerson wants to emphasize is the idea that children do not care. They are the most open-minded individuals before societal expectations are ingrained into their brains. The younger generation is not afraid to open their mind to new ideas and circumstances. This allows them to be more open-minded as children, and through that they can be more susceptible to

The excuse commonly used is that the older generation has been through so much turmoil that, expectantly, they would be open-minded. But that is not the case. In terms of current events, it is usually the middle aged through elders that have trouble accepting new ideals. This is can be dissected in David Bohm’s piece, On Communication. Allowing oneself to be close-minded does not allow to hear the other side of arguments or opinions. The usual issue amongst the older generation is that they lack certain morals when it comes to the changes that are happening today. Bohm speaks in his piece of the conflict that arises between people and how “…he will notice that different groups who are trying to do this [communicate] are not actually able to listen to each other” (14). Specifically, when the older generation is unable to openly listen to anyone, is when conflict ensues. Social change is a topic where sides are unlikely to listen to each other. It is the notion of being close-minded in this aspect is where it becomes dangerous. Being stuck in the past is not how life works anymore. When there is an important issue (for instance, the transgender bathroom law) it is very common to see the old white suburban folk saying that their “safety” is being put a risk when someone is using the bathroom. In terms of being educated, these particular people do not take the time to research about transgender individuals,