Misunderstood
Misunderstood
"Is it so bad to be misunderstood? Pythagoras was misunderstood, and Socrates, and
Jesus, and Luther, and Copernicus, and Galileo, and Newton, and every pure and wise spirit that
ever took flesh," a great American poet once said. Not only was he a misunderstood poet, but
Ralph Waldo Emerson was a famous transcendentalist of the nineteenth century as well.
Emerson believed that one should not be, nor try to be, something that one isn't; if someone tries
to imitate other people, they will eventually forget who they really are. He also was a strong
believer in self-trust. Below, are great examples of two other misunderstood beings that Emerson
suggested.
Greek philosopher, mathematician, and founder of the Pythagorean brotherhood,
Pythagoras formulated principles that influenced and greatly contributed to the development of
mathematics. Because Pythagoras preferred oral instruction, it was difficult for his disciples, or
followers, to understand his more difficult theories. Pythagoras repetitively proved his theories
correct until they were named theorems. Persistency is the key; Pythagoras never gave up. By
doing so, he left a mark in history and is still remembered today.
In his use of critical reasoning, by his commitment to truth, fifth-century Athenian
Socrates set the standard for Western philosophy. Socrates tried to determine whether or not
virtue could be taught. He argued that knowledge and virtue are so closely related that all human
beings do what is believed to be best. Many people of his era, did not agree with Socrates' views
on virtue. Thus, Socrates was misunderstood on why one would believe what he did.
Ralph Waldo...
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