Spirituality Theme Analysis

Emerson believes that history is not only a record of the “universal mind,” but also of the “universal nature” of the singular spirit that is present in all things. Human beings are not merely united intellectually and emotionally through common experiences, but spiritually through a divine “spark of light” that exists in all individuals. Throughout “History” Emerson argues that just as the mind connects people with each other, the soul connects people with the transcendent—that is, with God, nature, and the cosmos. Human history is, therefore, inextricably tied to the comprehensive history of the universe itself. Emerson argues that in order to understand history properly, it should be studied through a subjective spiritual perspective rather than an objective empirical one.

Early on in the essay, Emerson makes the point that spirituality, rather than intellectualism, is the key to understanding human history. While people are connected mentally, this is only because a divine spiritual presence endows all humans with the same ingrained principles and moral framework that dictate their behavior. Emerson cites several specific examples of historical figures—Asdrubal, Caesar Borgia, Solomon, Alcibiades, and Catiline—whose stories are “as much an illustration of the mind’s powers and deprivations as what has befallen us.” These tragic and flawed individuals reflect not merely the common life experiences of human beings, but the underlying universal nature that is ubiquitous to the human spirit. For example, the Roman senator Catiline’s conspiracy to overthrow the Republic reflects humanity’s inherent spiritual inclinations toward defiance, rebellion, and betrayal. Emerson believes that by recognizing the presence of this universal human spirit throughout history, individuals can “[remedy] the defect of our too great nearness to ourselves” and better understand their own vices and virtues reflected in others.

Emerson argues that this universal human nature is what “gives worth to particular men and things,” as it embodies the divinity and spiritual oneness of man with the rest of the universe. All events in human history, then, have an underlying spiritual meaning. Emerson believes that “all laws derive hence their ultimate reason; all express more or less distantly some command of this supreme, illimitable essence,” meaning that all governments and bodies of law throughout history have been developed to control the good and evil sides of human nature.

Because all individuals share one soul, all the “great moments of history” happened as much “for us” in the present as they did for people in the past, since time cannot break the deep interconnected human nature that all people share. Emerson goes on to say that “property also holds of the soul, covers great spiritual facts, and instinctively we at first hold to it with swords and laws, and wide and complex combinations.” While the material world of everyday life may seem divorced from the metaphysical realm, Emerson argues that the same God-given spirit is alive in all things, giving them historical significance and meaning worthy of being defended and upheld.

In order to fully comprehend this deep interconnected value that all things possess, Emerson believes that people must study history spiritually rather than empirically. Further developing his point that history allows individuals to see their strengths and shortcomings reflected in others, Emerson argues that people should not give into the tendency to approach the past as a “problem” that they solve from a distance. He points out that individuals tend to view history as a “wild, savage and preposterous There or Then” that sharply contrasts with “the Here and the Now.” Instead, says Emerson, people should make an effort to embrace the similarities between themselves and people who lived in the past, as recognizing the “spark of light” in everyone and everything allows the individual to see the true divine nature of the universe. According to Emerson, souls “transmigrate” from one being to another, implying that physical and temporal boundaries between people are essentially irrelevant. He therefore advocates for focusing on intuitive spiritual truths (such as love) over hard empirical facts when studying history.

Emerson’s high esteem of deep spiritual awareness is ultimately reflective of his transcendentalist values. The transcendentalists held an ambivalent view of the Unitarian movement of Christianity that prevailed in nineteenth century Boston. While they resonated with the core conviction of God’s omnipresence, they sought a deeper and more visceral spiritual experience than the increasing rationalism and intellectualism of the church. Emerson applies this idea specifically to history in order to advocate for a broader understanding of the past that emphasizes spiritual meaning over names and dates. In doing so, he believes that individuals can overcome their selfish tendencies and become more spiritually sound in their connections with God, nature, and their fellow human beings.