What Can We Learn from Emerson? — Another Thought

In my recent post: What Can We Learn from Emerson?  I wondered why I have a lower opinion of the world and the people living on it than I did a decade ago, and I contemplated what that says about me.

Maybe like-minded people shouldn’t feel so bad about all this, and consider what Emerson said here to be merely a reflection of his times.  The mid-19th Century featured far fewer people on Earth, a fervent and soul-nourishing push to emancipate the slaves, and no impending environmental disasters or proliferation of nuclear weapons.

He had reason for his optimistic strength; maybe we have justification for our deep level of concern–perhaps even sorrow.