Question: Why does Emerson think that a scholar is not a recluse, but a man of action?
Or, What is Emerson's idea about an ideal scholar?
Or, What should an ideal scholar be like, according to Enerson?
Or, What are the qualities of an American Scholar according to Emerson?
Answer: Emerson has given the picture of an ideal scholar which is quite different from the picture of a traditional scholar. A scholar has traditionally been thought of as a recluse, a valetudinarian,) unfit for any handiwork or public labour. But according to Emerson, it is just
a picture of a scholar who belongs to the studious class of society. Action for such a scholar is not subordinate. Action is essential for a scholar. Without action, he is not even a full man. A scholar must have a heroic mind, a mind full of the love for action. The action involves a transition from the unconscious to the conscious. The world that lies around us is actually a shadow of our souls. It can be called the other me. The scholar becomes actively involved in the world. He knows of himself as much as he knows of the world. Action is the source of knowledge for a scholar, so he knows about the world and about himself through action. The intellect moulds her splendid products out of the raw material of action. The actions that we did during our childhood are not also lost, or rendered ineffective. They are active in the depth of our subconscious. They, the actions, lie like pictures around us. Our recent actions also are a part of our life, though we may not feel their existence in our minds. They lie like grubs for some time in our minds, and suddenly unfurl beautiful wings and form wisdom.
A scholar, according to Emerson, is not a man of idleness and mere contemplation. He gathers the knowledge of the past from books, though he does not accept all of them and studies nature from where he acquires knowledge. Through action, a scholar brings out the Cultural Revolution. To quote Emerson, “Action is with the scholar subordinate, but it is essential. Without it, he is not yet a man. Without it thought can never ripen into truth. Whilst the world hangs before the eye as a cloud of beauty, we cannot even see its beauty. Inaction is cowardice, but there can be no scholar without a heroic mind. The preamble of thought, the transition through which it passes from the unconscious to the conscious, is action.
If it were only for a vocabulary the scholar would be covetous of action, life is our dictionary. Years are well spent in country labours; in town; in the insight into trades and manufactures; in frank intercourse with many men and women; in science; in art; to the one end of mastering in all their facts a language by which to illustrate and embody our perceptions...."
An ideal scholar should spread the idea of culture and the basic unity of all. Men such as they are, naturally seek money or power. They seek power because it is as good as money or because money comes through power. That is why we have the phrase, “the spoils of office". People think this to be the highest good but, if they were to realise that this is a false aim, they would not hanker after power or office and would leave the government to be run by clerks and petty officials. It is the duty of the scholar to bring about such an awakening.
An ideal scholar should have full confidence in himself and never heed popular opinions. He should have the confidence to think that not only does he know the world properly, but also that he will not be carried away from his own convictions by mere appearances.
An ideal scholar should be free and brave. He should not tolerate any hindrances except those which arise from within himself. He should be brave because fear is a thing that a scholar by his very definition puts behind him. “Fear always arises from ignorance.” He should face the world boldly because the world belongs to him who can see through its pretences. He must not lead a sheltered life but must face boldly the vexed problems of the day whether political or social. He should face such problems like a man. It is for those who are lacking in self-confidence to feel afraid of this world.
The picture of an ideal scholar that Emerson has given in his essay “The American Scholar” is consistent with his idea of a cultural revolution. He has combined in a unique way the old ideal that has been prevalent for hundreds of years, and his new ideal of a scholar who would bring about a profound change in the area of philosophical thought. According to Emerson, a perfect scholar will not be a scholar of books, but also a man of action, not only an ineffective recluse but also an effective activist. Through such a scholar an American nation will be created that will not depend upon any other nations of the world, especially of Europe, but will be independent in thought and action, and would serve as a model for other nations to follow. American people will walk on their feet, work with their hands, and speak their minds. “A nation of men will for the first time exist because each believes himself inspired by the Divine Soul which also inspires all men.” The American Scholar will be the chief instrument that will create such a nation through a revolution in thought and action.
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