Introduction

Abstract

In the literature on Ralph Waldo Emerson we often come across questions such as “Why should we read Emerson in the twenty-first century?” or “Has Emerson a future?” or “What kind of writing has Emerson produced?”—that is, questions concerning his relevance to the kinds of questions and concerns we face today. In this regard, one might think of his capacity to re-mystify the ordinary, of his literary achievements, or of his pioneering role as America’s first public intellectual. In this book, I establish that some of the questions Emerson himself asked in his writings are as pressing today as they were back then when everyone was encouraged, perhaps compelled, to share their “first-hand” account of the world. By situating Emerson in the tradition of philosophy as a way of life, in this book, I flesh out the connection between moral persuasion and literary excellence in his writings as a whole and establish his contribution to some of the ongoing discussions among contemporary philosophers. The main questions of the book are: What would an Emersonian view add to the tradition of philosophy as a way of life? What could his writings contribute to the literature on life’s meaning among analytic philosophers? Considering the emergence of questions and concerns such as the nature of pessimism, the connection between secular and religious senses of wonder, or the increasing marginalization of philosophy programs in higher education institutions, what could an Emersonian view add to the discussion?