This criticism written by David K. Heckerl discusses Emerson’s view about the theory of Historicism. The historicist position by philosopher G. W. F. Hegel, its original theorist, states that society and all human endeavors such as literature or other artistic expression are only defined by their history. According to this theory, art can only be viewed through the lens of history and historical context. In his criticism “Nature Will Not Be Disposed of: Emerson Against Historicism,” Heckerl explains Emerson’s distrust and distaste for giving history the credit for creativity.
Emerson's definition of the term Historicism, according to Heckerl is similar to that of Hegel, but Emerson includes idealism in his attempt to explain the how nature in and of itself is not compatible with the historicist position. Thoreau’s definition according to Heckerl, is being,” drawn by nature, into the forest, beyond the narrowness of church and state and school” (Heckerl 112). Heckerl states that Emerson description is, “far-off remembering of the intuition that when good is near you ... you shall not discern the footprints of any other; you shall not see the face of man; you shall not hear any
Name”(109). It is clear that Emerson rejects the idea and philosophy of the historicist position. Heckerl develops this thesis that , “Emerson's uncompromising adherence to the “methods of nature” disrupts the coherence of current historicist attempts to harmonize philosophy and politics, even to the point of compromising the moral integrity of these attempts” (113). Heckerl uses the term Anthropocentrism to describe what Emerson is writing against in his works. It has been described and defined as the reason why humans have taken over the earth and develop it for their own needs. Heckerl uses the term “cosmo-centrism,” to describe Emerson’s view of the world. Emerson is more concerned with the view of the individual as he relates in a more universal sense to his own world. Anthropocentrism as it is used in this essay is the force behind the prevailing historicism of the day and a point of contention for Emerson. Heckerl includes Emerson's claim that, “Nature represents the best meaning of the wisest man” (113). According to the essay, Emerson’s view of nature is the understanding of intellectual knowledge.
The argument against historicism vs. idealism is further demonstrated when Heckerl discusses the politics and leadership choices of Emerson. Heckerl quote historian Sam Worley on several occasions in relation to Emerson’s role in moral-political perspectives. Worley believed that Emerson’s concerns of leadership or reform was “A risky enterprise, vulnerable to corruption if applied too presumptively” (119). Worley described Emerson’s thought as dualism, which is defined as trying to reconcile two separate schools of thought. Worley argued that Emerson wanted, "to construct a new model of leadership” (115). Emerson believed according to Heckerl that the political leader should possess cosmo-centric values. This is illustrated by the famous quote from Emerson included in the essay, “If you would go to the political world, follow the great road -- follow that market-man, keep his dust in your eyes, and it will lead you straight to it; for it, too, has its place merely, and does not occupy all space” (118). Emerson’s thoughts about politics and it’s relation to history are one of the themes of this essay, but the author also includes criticism concerning Emerson’s Transcendentalism from Gregory Garvey’s “Essays on Emerson and Social Reform.” Transcendentalists' belief system was a state in which as person’s spirit took precedence over intellect and established church doctrine. The person was to rely on their own spirit and feelings to guide their actions. Garvey states that the “spirit” is a set of core values held by society that could be espoused from a political standpoint of from the pulpit (188).
Heckerl concludes that trying to reconcile both philosophy and society are destructive to both institutions and one would not be able to such a thing until both institutions were understood fully. According to the essay, Emerson believed in individualism, cosmo-centrism, and Transcendentalism , He believed in spiritual unity and believed that God could be found everywhere and in everything. In the end of the essay, Ralph Waldo Emerson’s view of individuality disagrees with the popular view of Historicism as presented by David K. Heckerl.
Heckerl, David K. "Nature Will Not Be Disposed of': Emerson against Historicism." Canadian Review of American Studies/Revue Canadienne d'Etudes Américaines 35 (2005): 109-21. Http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=mzh&AN=2006530915. June-July 2009.
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