Henry David Thoreau

Definition

Henry David Thoreau was a 19th-century American transcendentalist philosopher, author, and naturalist, best known for his essay 'Civil Disobedience' which argues for individual resistance to civil government in moral opposition to an unjust law. His work emphasizes the importance of personal conscience and the role of the individual in challenging governmental authority when it conflicts with ethical principles.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Thoreau wrote 'Civil Disobedience' after being jailed for refusing to pay a poll tax that supported the Mexican-American War, which he viewed as unjust.
2. He believed that individuals should prioritize their own conscience over government laws and regulations, even if it leads to personal consequences.
3. Thoreau's ideas have influenced many social movements, including civil rights and environmental activism, promoting the notion that individuals can effect change through peaceful resistance.
4. In his essay, Thoreau argues that the best government is one that governs least, encouraging minimal interference in the lives of citizens.
5. Thoreau's philosophy promotes living simply and in harmony with nature, which he saw as vital for achieving personal integrity and social justice.

Review Questions

• How did Henry David Thoreau’s personal experiences influence his views on civil disobedience?
  • Thoreau's personal experiences played a significant role in shaping his views on civil disobedience. His arrest for refusing to pay a poll tax—an act he performed in protest against the Mexican-American War—served as a catalyst for his essay 'Civil Disobedience.' This experience highlighted his belief that individuals have a moral obligation to resist unjust laws, illustrating the conflict between personal conscience and government authority.
• In what ways did Thoreau's philosophy contribute to later social movements advocating for justice?
  • Thoreau's philosophy laid the groundwork for future social movements by emphasizing the importance of individual conscience and nonviolent resistance. His ideas inspired leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi, who adopted civil disobedience as a method for fighting against injustice. By promoting the notion that individuals could effect change through peaceful means, Thoreau's work became foundational in the pursuit of civil rights and social justice.
• Evaluate how Thoreau’s concept of government aligns with modern democratic principles regarding individual rights.
  • Thoreau’s concept of government aligns closely with modern democratic principles that emphasize individual rights and freedoms. He argued that governments should be based on the consent of the governed and that laws must align with moral values. This notion resonates today, where democratic societies advocate for individual rights as a cornerstone of governance. Thoreau's emphasis on personal conscience challenges citizens to hold their governments accountable, reflecting an ongoing dialogue about the balance between authority and individual liberties in democratic contexts.

Related terms

Transcendentalism: A philosophical movement that emerged in the early 19th century, advocating for the inherent goodness of people and nature, and emphasizing self-reliance and individual intuition.

Civil Disobedience: The act of intentionally disobeying a law to demonstrate that the law is unjust, often through nonviolent resistance as advocated by Thoreau.

Conscience: An inner sense of right and wrong that guides a person's thoughts and actions, heavily emphasized by Thoreau as a basis for moral decision-making.