Scott is joined by Karl Schudt in this week’s discussion of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s essay, “Self-Reliance.”

For Emerson, authentic, unmediated thought has some sort of divine truth in it. This is crucial to our mission at Online Great Books. In seminar discussion, everyone has a unique perspective that we need to hear about. Your thoughts are worth a whole lot!

Despite that freedom Emerson felt, and wrote about, and saw in transcendentalism, we are more conformist than ever as a nation. Even with endless choices in front of us, is true freedom of action waning?

Scott and Karl talk about everything from finding the glory of your own consequences, to the problem of pathological empathy, to internet trolling. Tune in for an unforgettable episode!

If you are interested in starting your journey with the Great Books, use the discount OGBPODCAST to save 25% on enrollment at Online Great Books.

#39- Emerson on Self-Reliance