Emerson's Belief In Hyper-Individualism

American philosopher, Waldo Emerson has stated: “I shun father and mother and wife and brother when my genius calls me.” He further explains: “Every man alone is sincere. At the entrance of a second person, hypocrisy begins.” These criticisms of life are found in Emerson’s Self Reliance, and his essay Friendship, and illustrate Emerson’s belief in hyper-individualism. Hyper-Individualism is a tendency for people to act in a highly self-oriented way with little regard for society. Evidence of Emerson’s belief in hyper individualism can also be found in his various texts. For example, he states in Text 4, “It is simpler to be self-dependent. The height, the deity of man is, to be self-sustained, to need no gift, no foreign force.” (Emerson …show more content…
For example, he states: “Society also has its duties in reference to this class, and must behold them with what charity it can. Possibly some benefit may yet accrue from them to the state.” (Emerson Text 16) These quotes appear in the same reading as the quotes previously referenced in support of hyper individualism. But here, Emerson states that perhaps being a part of a larger group or society can be beneficial. In fact, in this quote, Emerson states that society does indeed have its duties and can possibly benefit some. He states that society can have a gracious and good effect on some and is not completely useless or irrelevant. This quote contradicts his arguments in support of hyper-individualism. Hyper-individualism supports removing oneself from society and focusing on one's self not the group needs of society as a whole. However, later in the essay, as noted herein, Emerson reveals how it can be beneficial to be a part of the very society that he criticized earlier. It appears that Emerson is being somewhat hypocritical as he is now advocating the benefits of society, something he was vehemently against in his