Foundation in Thoreau's theorizing. Defined as a higher and independent power, this is what really matters, not the nation or the people, according to Thoreau.
The Individual
100
That which is an expediency, a practical necessity, a machine condemned to lack a moral vision.
State/ Government
100
The kind of viewpoint that most people have.
Low point of view
200
Area where he spent two years in isolation.
Walden Pond
200
1862
The year he died.
200
Individualism, being an individual, amounts to a search for this.
Transcendental Law.
200
In contrast to the "individual" whose goal is to attain personal ethics/morality and to act in conformity with one's nature, its/his goal is to attain and to improve a government.
Citizen
200
A fundamental separation from the state. Thoreau implies this allows him to critique the state. Most others can't experience this because they are confined by the state institutions.
Alienation
300
He was Thoreau's biggest influence, mentor and friend.
Ralph Waldo Emerson.
300
1849
"Civil Disobedience"
300
Adherence to one's nature; consistency between one's moral concepts and practices. It is an individual definition and commitment; something that comes from within and that cannot be promoted by the state. It is doing something against the state for the sake of those who are oppressed.
Justice
300
It is that with which MOST people serve the state; with this, they serve the state as machines.
Body
300
That which changes people's character. Those who serve the state should have little/none of it. It has an inverse relationship with virtue.
Property/ wealth
400
The reason he went to jail for a day.
Tax evasion
400
1846
Jailed.
400
Acting on a law that one gives oneself.
Freedom
400
It is that with which SOME people serve the state. In using this to serve the state, people think, but this is only technical thinking.
Head
400
It does not allow the morality it defends to be implemented; the constitution is evil; legislation is wrong; the Supreme Court ratified slavery.
Problems with democracy
500
The major (literary) movement he was a part of.
New England Transcendentalism
500
The year when he moved to Walden Pond to write.
1845
500
A transcendent source that individuals are bound to. This is beyond the Bible and the Constitution, and is the basis upon which both depend.
Fountain-head
500
It is that with which only FEW people serve; it is what determines one's individuality; it is something to be acted in harmony with and is always beyond the government; individuals should not permit the government to overrule this.