Ralph Waldo Emerson – Nature and Other Things | Philosophize This! with Stephen West #165

Emerson stated that we can become self-reliant by an intense individual intentional relationship with nature (anything that is not"I" - such as art, language, our physical bodies, etc.)

Two mistakes:

• Not paying attention but allowing distractions. 
• Seeing ourselves in relation to how we already think about nature. 

 To truly connect with nature, we need our own experiences and interpretations.

Emerson believes that part of coming up with new ideas means coming up with new answers to old questions.

Seeing nature in a new light in the absence of old narratives can potentially change how we see everything in our society. Emerson thinks we will then notice many things we would otherwise take for granted.

Emerson views nature as:

• A provider (food and water, raw material)
• A role model. Even when nature seems chaotic and inconsistent from one perspective, but different when viewed from a distance.
• Providing exercise (hiking, swimming)
• Giving medicinal ingredients.
• A holistic process. When studying the macrocosm of nature, we can understand the microcosm of ourselves.

Everything that we consider to be a vital part of human life is derived from the process of nature. Yet, we want to believe that we have conquered nature, and we use these narratives to prove our case to ourselves, adding on top to the narratives of the past. 

Emerson is saying we should not let the interpretation of others get in the way of creating our own. We should have respect for other people's thoughts and take inspiration, but never start worshipping at their altar.

Individuals need to make an effort to reconnect with the natural world.

1. Science can provide a certain type of understanding of the natural world, but there are other things science can't do. Science can't measure the personal connection we create with nature through intuition. 
2. Action. Emerson believes that people prioritise the science derived from nature while ignoring the moral and spiritual experience they get through an actual experience in nature.

A structuralist thinks we can never escape society's influence. Society gives us narratives we use to navigate the world.

Even if every thought is ultimately given to us by society, we can still value being self-aware of the origins of our thinking. An individual can still choose what ideas they want to inspire them.