The Philosophy of Henry Thoreau : Ethics, Politics, and Nature

Henry Thoreau is widely considered to be one of the greatest nature writers, among whose best-known works are Walden and Walking. In this book, however, Lester Hunt shows that his writings have a compelling philosophical dimension as well. One obstacle to seeing the philosophical dimension of Thoreau’s writings is that he seldom seems to argue for his ideas the way other philosophers do. By means of features such as narratives, jokes, questions, and paradoxes, he entices the reader to recognize possibilities previously unknown and unexplored. He believes he is appealing to the reader’s own inner voice, which in some contexts he calls “the conscience,” and in others “one’s genius.” He holds that one’s authentic inner voice is the true guide in life. In The Philosophy of Henry Thoreau, we see that Thoreau’s intellect leads him to certain distinctive theories: an intuitionist epistemology, a heroic ethics, a politics that is fundamentally individualist and anarchist and, finally, a sort of secular religion in which nature is pre-eminent. Cover Half title Series page Title Copyrights Dedication Epigraphy Contents Preface (Which Is Meant to Be Read) Acknowledgments A Note on Citations I Context: His Life and Times 1. His Life 2. His Times II Politics and the Logic of Walden 1. The Argument of “Civil Disobedience” 2. What Walden Is 3. Proof and Necessity 4. Proof and Possibility 5. Thoreau’s Vitalism 6. Philanthropy versus Virtue 7. “Civil Disobedience” in the Context of Walden III Knowing Right from Wrong 1. The Voice of Conscience 2. Assessing Thoreau’s Intuitionism 3. Two Ways of Relying on Intuition 4. The Problem of John Brown 5. The Idea of the Neighbor in Walden IV Economy 1. A Problem: Nature and Asceticism 2. The Curse of Trade 3. Higher Laws and Lower 4. How Good Things Become Bad 5. Exchange-Avoidance 6. Thoreauvian Economy 7. Critique of Commerce 8. Another Response to Thoreau’s Challenge 9. Relevant Benefits of Commerce 10. One Problem Solved V Nature 1. Wilderness and Wildness 2. The Nature of Nature 3. The Sacred Neighbor 4. Environmental Policy Appendix: Analogical Argument Notes Bibliography Index "Henry Thoreau is widely considered to be one of the greatest nature writers, among whose best-known works are Walden and Walking. In this book, Lester Hunt shows that his writings have a compelling philosophical dimension as well. Thoreau seldom argues for his ideas the way other philosophers do. Rather than setting up proofs designed to trap the reader into agreeing with him, he challenges the reader -- by means of narratives, jokes, questions, and paradoxes -- to recognize possibilities previously unknown and unexplored. Thoreau's own explorations led him to several distinctively philosophical theories: an intuitionist metaethics, an ethics based on virtue and self-realization, a politics that is fundamentally individualist and anarchist, and a secular religion in which nature is pre-eminent."--Bloomsbury Publishing. "Henry Thoreau is widely considered to be one of the greatest nature writers, among whose best-known works are Walden and Walking. In this book, Lester Hunt shows that his writings have a compelling philosophical dimension as well. Thoreau seldom argues for his ideas the way other philosophers do. Rather than setting up proofs designed to trap the reader into agreeing with him, he challenges the reader - by means of narratives, jokes, questions, and paradoxes -- to recognize possibilities previously unknown and unexplored. Thoreau's own explorations led him to several distinctively philosophical theories: an intuitionist metaethics, an ethics based on virtue and self-realization, a politics that is fundamentally individualist and anarchist, and a secular religion in which nature is pre-eminent."-- Back cover