Life in society is extremely complex and multifaceted, resulting in disagreement about its essence among writers and philosophers. In this essay, two points of view collide: Ralph Waldo Emerson with his position on following one’s own will and the critical approach of Mark Twain. It seems that nonconformity cannot be called the root of human evils, because examples of submission to external reason have brought detrimental results incomparable with the likely harm of self-reliance.
In his writings, Emerson admires the greatness of independent critical thinking that is not constrained by social pressures. This skill is valuable in the modern time of media disinformation and Internet users giving biased advice on every issue of social life. As Emerson points out, “you will always find those who think they know what is your duty better than you know it” (5). Indeed, different social institutes, such as the church and government, may influence many people’s decision-making. However, one should not take all this external information for granted because these life recommendations may not match personal views and perspectives.
Mark Twain blames humanity for their cruelty and greed, claiming that animals are superior creatures. Trying to expose the roots of such human nature, Twain gives examples of the French revolution and American capitalism as signs of people’s moral weakness. However, it is hard to agree that self-reliance is a major factor in this pattern. In the Stalinist USSR and Nazi Germany, the personal will of the people was suppressed, and submission to the tyrant’s will was the key to physical survival. It shows that reliance on the supreme authority brings more suffering than freedom of expression and independent will.
To conclude, it is hard to dismiss Mark Twain’s argument that humankind has many bad qualities and desires. Nevertheless, the non-reliance and independence of thinking might be features that will save mankind from destruction. History knows that there are many examples when the supremacy of conformism principle has resulted in horrific autocracies. On the contrary, a free mind allows people to distinguish between good and bad, evil and kind.
Works Cited
Emerson, Ralph Waldo. “Self-Reliance.” Dartmouth College. Web.
Twain, Mark. Mark Twain’s Helpful Hints for Good Living: A Handbook for the Damned Human Race. University of California Press, 2004.