American Literature

In the essay, Richardson explores the beliefs Emerson wrote about his conviction for what nature was to him. He records that Emerson believed nature is our ultimate judge and dictates to us the final laws. He observes that many still refute this claim by Emerson and believes that our lives are governed by forces outside our nature like the police, the community, economy or the genetics. He emphasizes this view Emerson had by explaining the concept of universe as being made up of the soul and nature. He seems to endorse the idea Emerson had that nature could not be restricted to only the green world but should also include art, those who are around us, and our own bodies a broad term that may seem to generalize the concept of nature too much (Richardson, 1999).

Richardsons traces the development of the interest Emerson had in nature from his childhood and he notes that at one time in his childhood, he had wrestled with the thought of turning into a naturalist. He observes how he was always enthusiastic about nature like visiting the woods and taking nature walks with his children. He writes that Emersons interest in nature was based on his amusement in examining nature. It is apparent from this chronological account of Emersons enthusiasm with nature that one can conclude that Richardsons has the view that Emersons beliefs that nature was fundamental in all sphere of our lives and was very shaped by the long encounter he had in investigating it.

Emersons turning points is recorded by Richardson to be in 1829 when he denounced his Christian beliefs after he found them to be unbelievable. His enthusiasm for nature was stirred by tours he made across Europe which made him to conclude that every part of nature was connected to him and that every organized form in the world had life even the lifeless forms like rocks, a view that can generate heated debate among todays scientists. Richardson continues to explore the enthusiasm Emerson had after he took the job of a lecturer in science. He describes how Emerson was always engaged in nature as a gardener, orchard keeper and always took nature walks. He explores how he remained interested in science like surrounding himself with the leading scientists at the time like Dirk stuik and Louis, a ghazis which made him to conclude that science and humanities were all linked through nature (Richardson, 1999). Richardsons at this point captures our imagination and is slowly leading us into accepting the views of Emerson.

In the essay, Richardsons notes that the most notable result of Emersons enthusiasm for nature was the publication of the book nature.  The book outlined his opposition to the way people perceived nature at face value and reveled God. The book rejects the notion among people that nature is shaped by our traditions and that is revealed to others in history but rather recommends we should interpret nature as we perceive it. This is a view endorsed by Richardson which can however generate heated debate among todays theologians and scientists alike.

The book also highlights Emerson views that nature gives us the standard of beauty and is evident in the language we speak. He rejects the blanket acceptance of speech as it is all a metaphor of the human mind. Richardson also endorses Emerson idea that we should interpret outward nature in order to explore the inner workings of the outside occurrences, a view that can find acceptance in todays world especially among the scientists (Richardson, 1999).

Richardson outlines how these radical views of Emerson led him to disapprove Christian theology as he believed religion to be more of personal feelings rather than a moral emotion. He observes that the belief Emerson had on the link between the human mind and nature to be very fundamental and it points as to why he could take any topic and use nature as a launching pad to air his views.
Richardsons also explores Emerson views in the book about self reliance. He explains that Emerson had the view that it is better to rely on individuals knowledge rather than to rely on books or other sources for our knowledge. Although Richardson endorses the importance of relying on ones own thinking and individuality in  arriving at conclusions about something, this view is somehow misleading because it trashes all the wealth of knowledge that is in books. On the contrary, we should rather accept what is in books after subjecting it to our own judgments. Richardson also has the same idea as Emerson that heterenomony leads to cramping of choice and acceptance of the same ideas thus preventing creativity and innovation in constructing ideas but this is not always the case as there is more creativity in a group setting than in making decisions individually (Richardson, 1999). 

Richardsons ends the essay by endorsing the invitation Emerson makes to us to rely on our own thinking and shunning heteronomy and massmanship. Although it is essential to practice autonomy in our thought and beliefs, this invitation should not blind us to be always opposing or being biased against others point of view and instead it is essential to evaluate the others point of view using our own judgment and then accept it if our intuition finds it ideal or modify it to suit our beliefs.