Life in today’s world is always facing one question: Is it possible for a society to exist where everyone lives peacefully? A Transcendentalist society would allow people to express their true personality with minimal government intervention in their daily lives. In this type of unstructured community, people are allowed to pursue their passions without fear of judgment. Not quite as wonderful as it sounds, this type of society would create resentment despite equal benefits available for all. Those who naturally work hard would be angry with those who are living their lives simply to enjoy life rather than working. The conflict could cause many problems in the society. If education was optional for all, then students would not feel encouraged to seek new technology or scientific research. In addition, if a government body created laws preventing people from advertising their ideas, then if something in the society was not right, there would be nothing they could do to fix it. Although some may believe that a Transcendentalist society could be successful in today’s world, the torn views, the impossibility to create any technological improvements, and the unrealistic rules, are why a Transcendentalist society could not be possible today.
There are people who believe that a Transcendentalist society could exist in today’s world. Some would argue that it may lead to a happier, more successful society due to less societal tension. The tensions created in today’s world include economical stress, and rifts between different classes in society. Eliminating those obstacles would create a society that might be altogether more peaceful and more cohesive with other’s ways of life. Economical tension is a leading factor in many controversies in today’s world. Some would argue that a society that suppressed negativity and lacked social pressures would be successful and beneficial to many. These views reflect those who believe that a Transcendentalist society would be successful in today’s world. Although they are valid arguments, there are many other issues that suggest that a civilization like this one would not thrive.
Some people naturally strive to work their hardest and achieve more. There are also people who live life happily the way they are and do not necessarily want to change. These different types of people are one reason why a Transcendentalist society would not work. If every person was offered the same benefits, no matter the job or their productivity, it would eventually lead to resentment between these people. The inequality of somebody who contributes greatly to the society and somebody who contributes less would not be accepted by many people. Many would complain about inequalities in work ethics. If everything was offered for free, for example free housing, those who worked harder would feel they deserved more than others. Their attitude towards the situation would put the society at risk for rebellion against the government body in order to achieve what they believe they deserve. A Transcendentalist society would last for a short amount of time if everyone was offered equal benefits at no demanded cost in return.
Despite the typical bitterness students feel towards the enforced policy of staying in school until at least sixteen, without that rule, it would eventually lead to a downfall in that particular society. Students, sometimes against their will, attend school to get their required education. If students were not forced to go to school, society would lack a very important ability; the ability to improve. In the society created during the Transcendentalist unit, Harmonia, students are required to get a basic education, and then are free to observe people in their professions to learn how to do that particular job. This policy is unrealistic in that it would not help the society to advance in any way. Students would only acquire the knowledge of their predecessors, and would not have any outside research available to improve the current situation. Advanced schools such as colleges are in place to not only teach students what is already known, but to also teach them how to think in a particularly important way. Critical thinking encourages students to invent new ideas and formulate medicinal advancements and technological improvements, based on things they do not know, and wish to know. The Transcendentalist type of free-will schooling is not a realistic way to educate a society, and although people might be happier short-term because they have the power to decide, they might suffer in the future due to their lack of education.
The rules of a Transcendentalist society would be minimal. The sole purpose of a Transcendentalist society would be to limit the rules commonly set in today’s world, to allow for more freedoms. The flaw in this plan is, however, that limiting regulations becomes a cyclical problem. It leads to people feeling like they can do whatever they want, whenever they want. That could essentially take away the rights of the other members of the society. Another important Transcendentalist belief is to not harm nature in any way possible. This makes life extremely difficult, as it is human nature to adapt the earth to fit human needs, rather than conforming to nature’s ways. Another major flaw in the rules created in the society Harmonia is that no negative thoughts should be voiced. This is not a practical law in any way. The way society naturally works is that individuals see the problems in society, and point them out. If flaws go unnoticed and unrecognized by the majority, it would be self-destructive towards the society. When something is not right, a person should speak out against it to make the society a better place to live, and that law inhibits a person from doing so. The laws that are supposed to help a person discover themselves and express their true self actually end up harming the society as a whole, making a Transcendentalist society impossible in today’s world.
Although some seem to think that a Transcendentalist society would be possible in today’s world, the disagreements it would cause, the unrealistic educational systems, and the inflexibility of the Transcendentalist rules would make such a society impossible. The aspects of a Transcendentalist society do not match up with how people run their lives naturally. It would cause too many conflicts to be successful. Even though a Transcendentalist society may seem to some like a perfect civilization, the possibility of one existing in today’s world is impracticable.
