Abstract
The assignment was to create a counter-argument to Thoreau's essay on Civil Disobedience. Thoreau justified not paying taxes or following the laws by stating that the government of Massachusetts violated his conscience because it didn't stop slavery in the South or the war with Mexico. As a counter-argument the point is made that to live in a society we all must sometimes compromise for the good of all.

From the Paper
Response to Thoreau's "Resistance to Civil Government" The main point in Henry David Thoreau's essay "Resistance to Civil Government" seems to be that an individual's conscience and personal morality should be more important than the rules and laws established by a government, even if that government is democratically elected. In the fourth paragraph of his essay Thoreau writes: "A very few--as heroes, patriots, martyrs, reformers in the great sense, and men--serve the state with their consciences also, and so necessarily resist it for the most part; and they are commonly treated as enemies by it." As a counter-argument I believe that Thoreau's statement is self-centered,

Tags:thoreau, disobedience, virtue

Abstract
This paper describes American authors Thoreau and Emerson's views on the individual in society. The paper looks closely at Emerson's essay "Self-Reliance" and Thoreau's essay "Civil Disobedience," while also referring to Walden in order to provide examples of the authors' ideas about the importance of individual choices in creating ethical and spiritual lives for each citizen.

From the Paper
"Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) and Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) were two major writers and advocates of American Transcendentalism during the early to mid-nineteenth century. Each of these authors wrote several works that described their ideas about individual citizens' spiritual and moral place within human society; both authors believed that individual choice in living was of utmost importance in determining ethical and spiritual conscientiousness. Emerson's 1841 essay, "Self-Reliance" describes his belief system of individualism against the problematic notion of a conformist society; he preferred to see a society of individuals who have..."

Tags:thoreau, emerson, individualism

Abstract
The paper looks at Thoreau's "Civil Disobedience" and discusses it critically; further time is devoted to looking at its relevance to future civil rights leaders like Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. The paper discusses how overall, Thoreau presents a case for civil disobedience that is very persuasive because it essentially argues that the law must be predicated upon certain moral values; at the same time, civil disobedience can be very subjective - which raises the prospect that people may disobey the laws of society out of personal pique and not because they are guided by some immutable moral imperative. Nonetheless, the paper concludes that the influence of his ideas remains strong - and the notion of civil disobedience is still a worthy one.

From the Paper
"The following paper will look at Thoreau's "Civil Disobedience" and discuss it critically; further time will be devoted to looking at its relevance to future civil rights leaders like Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. Overall, Thoreau presents a case for civil disobedience that is very persuasive because it essentially argues that the law must be predicated upon certain moral values; at the same time, civil disobedience can be very subjective - which raises the prospect that people may disobey the laws of society out of personal pique and not because they are guided by some immutable moral imperative. Nonetheless, the influence of his

Tags:critique, thoreau, disobedience

Abstract
This paper analyzes Thoreau's position on the necessity of both rebellion against government and conformity with certain social norms and mores. The paper refers to Thoreau's essay, on "Civil Disobedience" as the basis for his political beliefs.

From the Paper
"Henry David Thoreau introduces his essay "Civil Disobedience" with the assertion that in his view; "That government is best which governs least." In this simple and straightforward statement, Thoreau reveals that he is at heart a Libertarian who believes that small, unobtrusive, minimal government will provide the greatest amount of personal freedom and freedom of conscience to an individual. However, though he himself was hardly unwilling to rebel against what he considered unjust and unfair or simply wrong headed government, Thoreau saw a place..."

Tags:Henry David Thoreau, On Civil Disobedience, resistance, conformity

Abstract
The paper discusses various pieces of advice provided by Henry David Thoreau in "Walden". The paper explains how Thoreau's ideas were formed, and describes his attempts to follow his own advice with regard to living economically, and with connections to neighbors and to nature.

From the Paper
"Henry David Thoreau died during the American Civil War. Among his best known works is "Walden" in which he stated that the mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation; "What is called resignation is confirmed desperation". He apparently came to this conclusion because he was an astute observer of the many changes taking place in his country during his youth and adult life. At issue in this brief essay is an explication of some of the most..."

Tags:Henry David Thoreau, Walden, nature

Abstract
The paper asserts that Henry David Thoreau's essay "Resistance to Civil Government" is an instance of effective persuasive writing not only because of the immense impact it had on contemporary readers in antebellum America, but because of its enduring influence on succeeding generations confronted by injustice and corrupt, coercive governments. The paper posits that this essay is deepening the writer's own understanding of the ways and means of persuasion.

From the Paper
"Henry David Thoreau's essay "Resistance to Civil Government" is an instance of effective persuasive writing not only because of the immense impact it had on contemporary readers in antebellum America, but because of its enduring influence on succeeding generations confronted by injustice and corrupt, coercive governments. Their efforts to find effective ways to overcome these obstacles has been and continues to be strengthened by the..."

Tags:thoreau, civil, disobedience

Abstract
The paper relates that Charles Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection challenged many accounts of design, but questions arose regarding whether it was completely incompatible with design. The paper discusses how as controversy was kindled within the scientific community and negative reactions became evident in the general public, Darwin's correspondence with Asa Gray demonstrates the reactions of both scientists to the controversy over the implications Darwin's theory of natural selection had for design, and indicates that in December of 1860, Darwin acknowledged that evolution by natural selection was not incompatible with design.

From the Paper
"Charles Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection challenged many accounts of design, but questions arose regarding whether it was completely incompatible with design. As controversy was kindled within the scientific community and negative reactions became evident in the general public, Darwin's correspondence with Asa Gray demonstrates the reactions of both scientists to the controversy over the implications Darwin's theory of natural selection had for design, and indicates that in..."

Tags:darwin, and, gray

Abstract
This paper discusses the conflict between Thoreau's views of nature as peaceful and as hostile, as well as how he reconciles his vision of nature with Robert Frost's view.

From the Paper
"What happens to the link between the human and the natural in "The Shipwreck" when Thoreau confronts hostile nature is very different from the domesticated one of "Concord" and "Walden Pond". The tranquil view of nature in "Concord" and "Walden Pond" makes Thoreau want to immerse himself in nature. This perspective renders nature inspiring, calming reviving and fascinating-a view in which Thoreau feels at one with nature. At "Walden Pond" he actually integrates himself into nature, separating himself from the accouterments of civilization to find his..."

Tags:Thoreau, Robert Frost, The Shipwreck, poetry, poem, nature

Abstract
In this article, the writer provides an analysis of the American Transcendentalist movement (1830s-1840s) that focuses on Thoreau's philosophy and how it relates to the broader movement of philosophical and political thought. The writer examines the core concepts of transcendentalism.

From the Paper
"The transcendentalist movement originated in Massachusetts and spanned from the 1830s-1840s. Despite its limited geographical and historical parameters, transcendentalism has had an outsize impact on American philosophical and political thought. This impact is largely due to the fact that some of America's most cherished and canonical authors were pioneers of the transcendentalist movement. Henry David Thoreau is widely regarded as the most important transcendentalist author-as well as the most popular. Thoreau's works are read by American students to this day and provide a window into the transcendentalist ..."

Tags:thoreau, walden, philosophy, nature, transcendentalism, transcendental, political

Abstract
An examination of a passage of Thoreau's essay "Walking" with an explanation of the passage.

From the Paper
"Henry David Thoreau's essay "Walking" is a thought-provoking piece that which he explores the bounds of the human intellect and poses several questions as to the nature of how we acquire knowledge as well of the limitations of the type of knowledge we typically consider valuable. I am particularly struck by the following passage; "My desire for knowledge is intermittent, but my desire to bathe my head in atmospheres unknown to my feet is perennial and constant. The highest that we can attain to...""

Tags:Thoreau, Walking