The American Diogenes-Henry David Thoreau's Living Philosophy

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Күн бұрын

The living philosophy of Thoreau can be fruitfully understood through the lens of his ancient counterpart in philosophy Diogenes the Cynic. Henry David Thoreau is known for his two famous works Walden and On Civil Disobedience. The one is a prototype of nature writing while the other is a powder keg political essay. Though the subject matter of these books seem to be chasms apart they are both expressions of the living philosophy of Thoreau.
Like the ancient Cynic Diogenes, Henry David Thoreau’s living philosophy can be understood by its two fundamental strains.
The first is uncompromising integrity. Thoreau put little stock in the opinions of his neighbour. Even his friend and mentor the philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson said that “H is military H seemed stubborn + implacable; always manly + wise, but rarely sweet.” Thoreau was marching to a different drummer. The north on his inner compass was his values and he strove to live up to and embody these values no matter the social or economic costs.
This explains his ardent stands on abolition (he was an outspoken supporter of the radical abolitionist John Brown and a conductor on the underground railroad smuggling escaped slaves into Canada where slavery was illegal). He also spent a night in prison for refusing to pay a poll tax because he refused to support the spread of slavery with the Mexican-American War. This was the event that inspired his essay On Civil Disobedience that was a major inspiration for Gandhi (who named his movement after it and got all his friends in the Indian Independence movement to support) and Martin Luther King.
The other Diogenean strain in Thoreau tells us to simplify our lives. We only have to satisfy our basic pleasures. By doing so we liberate ourselves from the shackles of the body which, after all, are only the roots of our being. Do not spend your whole life tending your roots when the true flourishing of humanity lies in its great towering shoots and the fruits that they bear. Do not live a life of quiet desperation when the good life is within your reach. Thoreau set out to “live deep and suck out all the marrow of life, to live so sturdily and Spartan-like as to put to rout all that was not life”
Like his ancient counterpart, he was dedicated to living his philosophy. Philosophy was not for him an idle pursuit of intellectual leisure but something lived and acted upon:
“There are nowadays professors of philosophy, but not philosophers. Yet it is admirable to profess because it was once admirable to live. To be a philosopher is not merely to have subtle thoughts, nor even to found a school, but so to love wisdom as to live according to its dictates, a life of simplicity, independence, magnanimity, and trust. It is to solve some of the problems of life, not only theoretically, but practically.”
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#Thoreau #thelivingphilosophy #philosophy #diogenes

Пікірлер: 75

@Backwoodsandblades 3 жыл бұрын

Very well done. Have been studying Thoreau for over 20 years, and aspire to be in the Diogenes and Thoreau line. Bravo.

@TheLivingPhilosophy 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks a million David! There's certainly plenty in them to model and strive towards. Its a simple path but far from easy

@satnamo 3 жыл бұрын

Me too David.

@satnamo 2 жыл бұрын

@Imperishable stuff a strong person is good noble and impressive

@rosemadder5547 10 ай бұрын

I found Walden when I was an addict... it really spoke to me... I started to walk and walk, and it helped me to get off drugs and even led me towards a type of Daoism... after reading Civil disobedience I also found the diary of Sören Kierkegaard. I read all those books until they broke down the spine... I wonder if your 20 year study has changed you in any way along the line...

@Backwoodsandblades 10 ай бұрын

@@rosemadder5547 Yes. I do not aspire to any typical American idea of success. I do not allow myself to be defined by a job, but instead take each day as it comes. I no longer seek any counsel or solace from religious ideas, but instead only try to find myself in Nature.

@sugrue8526 Жыл бұрын

I have been a Thoreau fan for 40 years. Hard to convey this to you as I am proud to have punched the clock for 15 years as a Tool & Die Maker and as a technician. I always see work as a means to life(adventure & thought). I still bring in a good buck working hard as an owner operator now. I see it as a means to my being the laziest person. I think there are many like me. It is hard to pay attention to life with 45hr work week but it’s been accomplished by many before me.

@shaundisch2020 4 ай бұрын

Nice job! Recently gave Walden to my nephew, as well as Walking. Just sent him this video too! I saved $ the last 5 years and then got fired for gently standing against DEI. Have spent the last 7 months reading spirituality and philosophy, working out, camping, hiking etc. Thanks to Thoreau, the last time I wasn't working in 2004 I spent a month walking 8 hours per day and meditating the rest of the night. Never healthier.

@rosemadder5547 10 ай бұрын

I was obsessed with Thoreau in my 20s... then life got real and harder etc, I lost my books, my home, had to rebuild. I kind of forgot. I'm so happy to have found this. What have I been doing the last few years? Living in a fear bubble. I never used to believe that way... time to flourish again, stop obsessing about the roots and flourish in the sun 😍

@KJ2799 2 жыл бұрын

I had to stop and re-listen to that first sentence. Such an amazing way of putting it, really great video

@TheLivingPhilosophy 2 жыл бұрын

Haha awesome delighted you enjoyed it so much Kyle!

@johnnyrockdog Ай бұрын

I like the gadfly analogy. I agree. Like Socrates, Thoreau sometimes rubbed people the wrong way, and some thought no his adventurous path to knowledge and peace of mind is unattainable. But, as you’ve shown us, it can be done on only a dollar a day.throw has always been one of my heroes, as I delve deeper into philosophy Diogenes, as well, has been someone I have looked up to for inspiration. Thanks for all the great work living philosophy.

@TimBitten 3 жыл бұрын

By gaining strength of self, one is enriched, but learning what you can then do with that strength determines how and if your life was admirable. However, one need not always be admirable for one’s story to be useful in the teaching others; a cautionary tale can educate us on what *not* to do, so all are valuable to the betterment of humanity in some way.

@TheLivingPhilosophy 3 жыл бұрын

Yes! I love the idea of anti-heroes. I had a list of a couple of them before because it's as useful to know what you want to steer away from as it is to know what you are steering towards. It also helps with getting out of the gate because you say well that person is doing it well then I can certainly do better than that and perhaps have a duty to do so

@satnamo 3 жыл бұрын

A cautious man is wise.

@amraouza4937 3 жыл бұрын

amazing content , a real gem of a channel i stumbled upon ! the audio is crisp , the video essay progression smooth , the script poetic ! criminally underrated ...

@TheLivingPhilosophy 3 жыл бұрын

This is one of the nicest comments I've ever received!! Thank you very much iam'a redhawk you have brought a smile to my face

@satnamo 3 жыл бұрын

I rate living philosophy good. What is good ? An increase in power.

@davidcooper7339 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent presentation on Thoreau's philosophy and his stoic influences of Cato the Younger and Diogenes. I've learned something from you and for that, I'm grateful. Thank you!

@TheLivingPhilosophy 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks David! Delighted to hear it!

@satnamo 2 жыл бұрын

Gratitude is das father of all virtues: Wisdom Courage Justice

@unknowninfinium4353 3 жыл бұрын

This guy is Gangsta man. Even though world has developed and modernised his words are so direct and simple that there is a truth in them that we can adopt by living less.

@satnamo 2 жыл бұрын

A good life is simple because simple is beautiful since simplicity is das ultimate form of sophistication

@yukonpeter Жыл бұрын

Bravo! Wonderful discussion about Thoreau. I am reading Thoreau again for the first time in over 40 years and I'm realizing the strong influence he had on my being from when I first read him as a teenager.

@sumitrashankarchamoli8547 Жыл бұрын

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.

@deebaker9199 2 жыл бұрын

Wow, thanks for this ..just a few months back I sent 'walden' to my daughter in new Zealand. I think I will send her your commentary, she's around your age but only just now approaching the greats! Yay you!!!!!!!!! Blessed 😁😇

@TheLivingPhilosophy 2 жыл бұрын

Delighted to hear it Dee I hope she enjoys it!

@deebaker9199 2 жыл бұрын

Really appreciate the way you respond to listeners! Sometimes It's lonely wanting to connect/share with others in these concepts...especially Nietzches work...and Schopenhauer. I'm considering learning German so I can go deeper into their work. I live in a beautiful place in Queensland...the ocean life is so conducive to contemplation! 💖 I write poetry but mainly about 12 Step 'conscious contact' stuff Cool to connect with you again, thankyou :) 🚀

@TheLivingPhilosophy 2 жыл бұрын

@@deebaker9199 I'm happy to interact when I have the time! I've often thought the same about learning German but have been daunted by the challenge of it so have thusfar stayed aloof of it. I spent a bit of time in QLD back in 2015 mostly Brisbane and Cape Trib. Interesting place. Very different weather to Ireland 😁

@yqafree 3 жыл бұрын

Simply beautiful! I lov your poetic descriptions

@TheLivingPhilosophy 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you Quality Apologist!

@satnamo 3 жыл бұрын

Simple is beautiful.

@TheAwillz 2 жыл бұрын

Brilliant video mate

@TheLivingPhilosophy 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks TheAwillz!

@mrk1839 2 жыл бұрын

I just used your video and shared it with my students in a US history course. We enjoyed your presentation. It is a deep piece of thought we all do well to engage in as we examine our lives and purpose. None of us want to live a life of Quiet Desperation

@TheLivingPhilosophy 2 жыл бұрын

Wow that's amazing! Glad to help spread some of Thoreau's fine wisdoms!

@tristants9209 3 жыл бұрын

Lovely!

@donjones7956 Ай бұрын

This is the reason why some people do not understand that poverty is just pretentious pressures of society. A minimalists lifestyle is a virtue of practical men like Thoreau and Diogenes.

@robertbroatch6919 2 жыл бұрын

Thoreau was first and foremost a naturalist- and resented distractions from it.

@goodtothinkwith 8 ай бұрын

By “prickly,” did you have Alan Watts in mind with that conspicuous - but wonderful - description?

@brendanroe8604 Жыл бұрын

Really enjoyed that, thanks mate!

@christophernaylor5263 11 ай бұрын

Thank you.

@Kjt853 9 ай бұрын

Very well done. One correction, however: Thoreau, when asked how his name was pronounced, said it should rhyme with “furrow.” Hence, the accent goes on the first, rather than on the second, syllable. He sometimes made a pun on his name: when hired to do surveying, he would tell his employer that he would do a “thorough [the actual pronunciation] job.”

@TheLivingPhilosophy 9 ай бұрын

Haha not just informative but entertaining and informative thank you very much for that I shall update my pronunciation going forward

@poopadoncic4023 Жыл бұрын

cool intro animation. love you

@peterlynley 3 жыл бұрын

I don't know much about Thoreau. Always thought of him as just a famous journalist rather than a philosopher but I might look into his work. Any book recommendations for someone who knows nothing much of him? Maybe one book by him and one about him to give me a concise idea what he was about. I see a bit of his anti-social contemplative nature in myself, but not so extreme. Maybe I can pick up some inspiration and learn how to be a better misanthrope...LOL. Thanks for another good biographical sketch.

@briangalloway5021 Жыл бұрын

Thoreau wasn't anti-social but he was far more comfortable being alone in nature.

@jamescline9973 Жыл бұрын

Thoreau's masterpiece was the book Walden. A good biography of Thoreau is that of Joseph Wood Krutch.

@thewholemessprinciple 3 жыл бұрын

Wow, I began my deliberate 1:6 work:play (ahem! higher purpose) life ratio about a year ago. Didn't know Henry thought of it first. "Revolution, please," I whisper to the trees. Do you call your personal philosophy anything other than "the living philosophy"? (Which is quite good enough, I'm just wondering!)

@TheLivingPhilosophy 3 жыл бұрын

Wow! Sounds awesome! Very interesting way to live life I'm sure Henry would be delighted! I don't call my philosophy anything else yet I guess I hadn't even thought of it as the living philosophy although it's the one that's closest to my heart. I guess in many ways I'm still waiting for my philosophy to click into a more coherent form. There's a few core pieces such as the value of suffering and valuable multiplicity of the inner world that are relatively clear to me but there's so much information and wisdom that has yet to become clear and solidified into my bones so at this point I can't see the wood for the trees and I'm still patiently waiting for the epiphanic eureka. Interesting question though I've never thought about it before!

@thewholemessprinciple 3 жыл бұрын

@@TheLivingPhilosophy I don't think the names of our philosophies matter much anyway! Just vessels for communicating a larger unspeakable thing. Wishing you an epiphanic eureka regardless ✨

@satnamo 3 жыл бұрын

Life filosofy

@mrGreeeeeeeeen 2 жыл бұрын

Great job. I love you channel.

@mrGreeeeeeeeen 2 жыл бұрын

(your) lol

@TheLivingPhilosophy 2 жыл бұрын

Haha thanks Rob (on behalf of both the channel and myself)

@alysononoahu8702 2 жыл бұрын

Like my own thoughts, but of course I must have been told these things described the human experience I most dream of

@chefhomeboyardee8 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks, good job. Subbin

@mikaeleriksson1341 Жыл бұрын

❤

@christophmahler 2 жыл бұрын

*_'Give me integrity or death'_* . Salve Saturnus, the cultivator of soil, the sower of future harvest, the god of a golden age. To turn on one's heel and to walk away from everything - a moment, everything done and suffered has lead to - is entering the promised, _imminent_ Kingdom - from which all directions are fair.

@marcusmckenna7842 3 жыл бұрын

Great video! I hope you start focusing more on these authentic, humanist philosophers rather than misanthropic sociopaths like Nietzsche. Have you done any videos about Kierkegaard yet?

@TheLivingPhilosophy 3 жыл бұрын

Haha well I will be looking at Nietzsche at some point but lot of thoughts and material there to tame so the misanthropic sociopaths aren't out just yet but yes I am thinking a lot about Kierkegaard especially when you look at the living philosophy of philosophers he's one that comes up to mine so expect him to be dropping sometime in the next month

@satnamo 3 жыл бұрын

Love Simplicity Patience Are 3 greatest treasures of mankind; But because of fear and laziness, Man tends to chase after the ends And forgets about the root. Returning to das source is returning to tranquility because there is no happiness higher than rest.

@TheLivingPhilosophy 3 жыл бұрын

Well stated. I think fear and comfort is the opposite polarity cage that keeps us trapped

@alysononoahu8702 2 жыл бұрын

OK, my mom loved Walden

@32497 7 ай бұрын

"I would rather sit on a pumpkin..."

@johnnywilley8522 8 ай бұрын

Yet what is it that Thoreau overlooked? What he could not see, which was a world of relatively sane, modest people attempting to build lives using business, the railroad and other "complications" of modern life. Sure, we lose something amidst all our complicated living, but our lives are indeed ultimately superior to the solitude-loving, buddha-type people of the world who chose to remove themselves, rather than participate & play. Thoreau was indeed sincere, that rare quality, but he was a little too serious, that more common folly.

@stevenyourke7901 2 жыл бұрын

Thoreau wasn’t like Diogenes at all. Thoreau was an anarchist but he had a deeply moral nature and he cared deeply about social Justice. He was motivated by high moral principles. He didn’t flaunt social conventions for the mere sake of outraging the public.

@TheLivingPhilosophy 2 жыл бұрын

Ah I dunno Steven I think that's unfair to Diogenes. I don't think it was just for shock value although social justice wasn't much to his taste. I guess they share their individualism mainly

@stevenyourke7901 2 жыл бұрын

@@TheLivingPhilosophy Maybe I’m being unfair to Diogenes but it’s hard to take seriously a man who masturbates in public and sleeps in a large urn and begs in the street. Of course, these accounts may be apocryphal. I understand that he was an anarchist who advocated asceticism and so I can see some connection to Thoreau.

@josephruf5533 3 жыл бұрын

your constant reference to "temperament" while then attempting to engage, with respect, with a thinker is obnoxious

@satnamo 2 жыл бұрын

Everything I hear is only an opinion- Not a fact.

@joeruf6526 2 жыл бұрын

@@satnamo Well i hope you don't think the real world is just an opinion and that some mere opinions are better than others based on their relation to the world