Concepts of Self-realization, Freedom, Free Will and Determinism in American Philosophy

American philosophy takes its subject from many differentareas one of which is the religious aspect that scrutinizes the position of the individual on earth as well as his relationship with God. The idea thathuman nature needs God to reach salvation is closely related to the moralfreedom of the individual and therefore to his contribution to thecommunity he belongs to. To better grasp the existence of God whoexpresses Himself in the world, the individual, as the most intelligent andprecious thing in the creation, needs to go through a process that leadshim achieve self-realization and accomplishment. This paper aims atdemonstrating the position of the individual in his community in relationto his recognition of God. Although they possess differences of opinions,the three prominent American thinkers, chosen to be discussed have animportant place in the 19th century American thought. J.Royce,J.Edwards and R.W. Emerson, have developed their own ways of thinking that are essential to discuss regarding the relationship between the individual and God. To explore this notion I need to scrutinize theconcepts of self-realization, freedom and free will, and determinismwhich will finally shed light to the idea that God expresses Himselfthrough the experience of individual in his society. Furthermore, examining these concepts through a comparative approach is important to make a distinction among the thinkers’ ways of thinking. Thus, in realizing his experience, the individual recognizes good and evil that will also lead the improvement of society he lives in.