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He went to jail for refusing to pay taxes, to protest America's involvement in the Mexican War"(Henry David Thoreau," Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia, 2007). While it could be argued that refusing to pay taxes hurt Americans who had nothing to do with the government's decision, Thoreau would counter that if no one obeyed their conscience, and everyone simply conformed to societal dictates, positive change would be impossible in the world. Even in protest, Thoreau still showed respect for others, adopting a strategy of passive resistance, while remaining true to his convictions"(Henry David Thoreau," Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia, 2007).
Upon seeing Huxley's world, Thoreau would no doubt immediately leave and begin a new Walden-like homestead in isolation, on the outskirts of John's remote reservation. Thoreau, as evidenced in his pacifism and social conscience, would agree with Socrates and the scientists of Brave New World that to be happy, an individual must take into consideration the...
But he would deny that harmony should be the goal of society, if the result is societal injustice. He would be particularly angry at the idea that a world of conformity and social inequality could make people happy. To Thoreau, such a claim would look suspiciously like defenses of slavery in the South, where every person fulfilled their 'natural' role, where people were 'bred' for certain characteristics, conditioned to see themselves as inferior, and denied an education. Socrates, perhaps on seeing an interpretation of his position on the benefits of social inequality, might be converted to Thoreau's moral stance, upon gazing at the lack of real intellectual and philosophical discussion in the pre-determined social organization of Brave New World.
Works Cited
Henry David Thoreau." Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2007. 30 Mar 2008. http://encarta.msn.com.
Republic." Classics Technology Center. 2000. 30 Mar 2008. http://ablemedia.com/ctcweb/netshots/republic.htm
Works Cited
Henry David Thoreau." Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2007. 30 Mar 2008. http://encarta.msn.com.
Republic." Classics Technology Center. 2000. 30 Mar 2008. http://ablemedia.com/ctcweb/netshots/republic.htm
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