Friendship & Other Essays by Ralph Waldo Emerson

In 'Friendship & Other Essays', Ralph Waldo Emerson - considered the father of Transcendentalism - rejected the puritan belief of inherent human depravity. Instead, he argued that people possess a natural goodness. In essays on subjects such as 'Friendship', 'Love', 'Prudence', 'Heroism', 'Character' and 'Manners', Emerson emphasizes the importance of human connection and appreciation for nature in achieving knowledge and happiness. Today, Emerson remains a highly celebrated American philosopher of the 19th century, and his insightful words on human relationships continue to hold relevance in today's world.