The Aesthetic Theodicy And The Puritan Theodicy

Ralph Waldo Emerson is famous for The American Scholar, which is regardedas “American’s Declaration of Intellectual Independence”. However, it is only theone side of Emerson’s intellectual edifice. Emerson’s diaries give us a chance toknow the whole picture of him. This paper will make a tentative study of Emerson’searly diaries from the perspective of theodicy. By doing so, we will prove that thereare two sides of Emerson: the aesthetic one and the puritan one and these twoconflicting sides are the basis of the conflicting transcendentalism and the reason ofhis dilemma between individual and society.This paper is divided into three parts. In the first part, the aesthetic theodicy isdiscussed. We will introduce the origination and content of the aesthetic theodicy. Inthe context of aesthetic theodicy, Emerson embodies an optimistic world view, amoral principle of self-reliance and a pursuit of union with the perfect God. In parttwo, we will analyze the puritan theodicy. Emerson embraces a more pessimisticworld view in the context of puritan theodicy. He must confront the problem of death,evilness and social problems. Under this world view, he develops a moral attitude ofcalling. Emerson’s reconciliation is in part three. We will analyze how the twotheodicies contradict with each other and we will prove that the two sides of thiscontradiction are the main content of Emerson’s transcendentalism and the basis ofhis dilemma between individual and society.In conclusion, Emerson’s intellectual edifice is connected with each other fromthe perspective of theodicy. What is more, there are two sides of Emerson’stranscendentalism and the two sides are best embodied in the contradiction betweenthe aesthetical theodicy and the puritan theodicy.