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Thoreau makes both a philosophical statement and a practical one. What is the philosophical statement? Why does he add the practical one?

A. Philosophical: The government is inherently corrupt; Practical: Suggestions for government improvement
B. Philosophical: Nonviolent resistance is powerful; Practical: Strategies for effective civil disobedience
C. Philosophical: Individuals should prioritize personal freedom; Practical: Ways to achieve self-reliance
D. Philosophical: The government is essential for societal order; Practical: Examples of successful government policies

1 Answer

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Final answer:

Henry David Thoreau's philosophy advocates for the power of nonviolent resistance and individual freedom, with practical strategies for civil disobedience detailed in his works.

option 'b' is the correct

Step-by-step explanation:

Thoreau's Philosophical and Practical Statements

Henry David Thoreau provided both a philosophical statement and practical suggestions in his works. The philosophical statement is that nonviolent resistance is powerful, and the practical statement consists of strategies for effective civil disobedience. Thoreau's influential texts, Civil Disobedience and Walden, clearly underscore these themes.

His commitment to principle and simple living, demonstration through his refusal to pay poll tax and resulting imprisonment, and the subsequent influential essay Civil Disobedience all champion the potency of individual freedom and the moral imperative to challenge unjust governance.

Adding practical advice to his philosophical assertions, Thoreau furnished a blueprint for living with greater individual autonomy, as exemplified in his stay at Walden Pond. His practical suggestions serve as a guide for those who seek to realize their personal liberty and stand up against systemic injustices.

Ultimately, Thoreau's writings are a combination of his philosophical belief in the right of the individual to resist corrupt or unjust authority, as seen in his advocation of passive resistance, and his practical demonstrations and guidance for achieving a more self-reliant and individualistic lifestyle, unhampered by government or societal constraints.

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