Thoreau's Philosophy

I do agree with Thoreau’s argument, that the comfort of solitude is something that one can develop within themselves, and can prevent loneliness rather than prevent it, due to it encouraging one to become more independent and free-thinking. “I never found the companion that was so companionable as solitude”, by this Thoreau means that the independence he has found through solitude has helped him to become more independent, therefore he does not feel the need to interact with others to gain new thoughts, but more so that he is fine with his own thoughts. I agree with Thoreau that it is important for one to practice solitude, and to be able to form their own opinions and ideas, but at the same time I feel that it is important for humans to still interact with one another. …show more content…
“Some of my pleasantest hours were during the long rain-storms in the spring or fall, which confined me to the house for the afternoon as well as the forenoon, soothed by their ceaseless roar and pelting; when an early twilight ushered in a long evening in which many thoughts had time to take root and unfold themselves” here Thoreau is expressing how at times when he was physically alone he did not feel lonely because of the comfort he finds within his own thoughts and within nature. I do agree with Thoreau that loneliness and solitude are two separate things, because loneliness is more associated with depression and sadness, while solitude is more associated with independence. I believe that it is healthy for one to spend (to a certain extent) time with their own thoughts, and when one does that they should not be viewed as lonely but rather, individualistic. When compared to loneliness, peace within solitude shows that one is fine with being alone with their thoughts, but when one is lonely then they it shows that they are not alright with being alone with their thoughts, or physically