Essay Questions

Why does Emerson argue that History comes from the “One Mind”?

Emerson's “One Mind” is the divine, unifying force of nature. It is the divinely inspired thought shared by all of humanity. It is where the universal natural laws of the world arise. All of humanity shares the “One Mind” because the one mind is the origin of thought. Humanity is eternally united as all natural and human concepts arise from the possibility of the “One Mind”. Dignity is invested in all life by the “One Mind” as all life shares the concept of thought.

Why does Emerson see the figure of the “First Man” as such a unifying force?

The “First Man” (or Adam in the Biblical concept) is the origin of all humanity. Emerson sees history as innate in the nature of the “First Man”. All action of humanity has flowed from the “First Man” as the shared origin of humanity. Emerson sees all human life as unified in that origin. The Transcendental philosophy sees this supreme, divine purpose as suffused in all life. The possibility of action is divine.

What is the purpose of Emerson's many allusions to historical figures through the essay?

To investigate the study of History, Emerson first establishes the form of History. To properly study History, Emerson argues its scope must be understood. All of humanity shares the same possibility of even the most elite and respected historical figures. Any individual can be a Homer, a Shakespeare, or a Napoleon. All this experience and power was invested within humanity from the beginning. The essay desires to show how diverse these many figures and identities are, but all are still unified in the purpose of History. Emerson believes History can be best understood through this development.

How does Emerson believe the study of History can help the future?

Emerson sees all things enfolded in History. All possibility already exists in History as it existed in the “First Man”. The “First Man” is the acorn and “History” is the forest. Emerson sees all historical figures as “predicting” and building upon one another in a divine process. As Emerson argues: the virtue of the maiden predicts Democracy. All possibility for change is invested in even the smallest soul. As nature is, History is to be read and studied. Only through History can the human condition be understood. A condition Emerson sees as hopefully predisposed towards natural divinity.