The American Dream Philosophy Essay Sample

What does the American Dream mean to you? To many it means a wish list of ideas, being financially stable, being able to retire early, working for yourself, the “pursuit of happiness”, or fifteen minutes of fame. The term “American Dream” was created in the darkest days of the Great Depression, James Truslow Adams in his book The Epic of America defines the American Dream as “that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for every man, with opportunity for each according to his ability or achievement” (404). Since 1931, the phrases the American Dream has been set into everyones mind, but the roots of this idea can go back for centuries. Back to the seventeenth century when the Dream arrived on the shores and then a century later when the Declaration of Independence and Constitution was written. While the African Americans have their own American Dream. To be free from slavery. Around 100 years after the Emancipation was signed freeing slaves, Martin Luther King Jr. stood on the steps of the Lincoln memorial speaking his dream, 

I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed. We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal. I have a dream that one day out in the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slaveowners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood (King).

Having Martin Luther King Jr. “I Have a Dream” speech in combination Abraham Lincoln and his speeches provide a deeper look into the American Dream.  

Abraham Lincoln was the United States sixteenth president, he led us during the Civil War being the one that preserved the Union and ended slavery. Before Lincoln became president, he was Illinois Republican nomination for Senate during which he gave the “House Divided” speech. Which might be one of the most important addresses in the United States history to this date. Through-out the speech Lincoln addresses a nation that has never been so divided, being profoundly at odds over slavery. Lincoln stresses that a crisis over slavery was at hand and asked Americans to think about what would best serve their Union, a government of all free or all slave states, before having the crisis chose for the people. Stating “A house divided against itself cannot stand. I believe this government cannot endure, permanently half slave and half free” (Lincoln). Using the metaphor of a house to highlight interdependence, cooperation, and a shared purpose for this government. Challenging the people to build and preserve something together regardless of natural differences rather than living and working separately. Martin Luther King Jr.’s more than hundred years later, still fighting for the same dream that Lincoln was addressing that day. This Union was founded on a dedication of equality, not offering that perfect equality could be achieved but a broad commitment to the idea would be essential. 

Lincoln’s first public speech as the Illinois Republican nomination for Senate could have not challenged what James Truslow Adams would define as the American Dream seventy-three years later more, but Lincoln would agree with what Martin Luther King Jr. would speak on during his “I Have a Dream” speech. The current day American Dream is still in line with Adam’s The Epic of America definition of the American Dream.  

It is not a dream of motor cars and high wages merely, but a dream of a social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position (404). 

Stating that the American Dream is not only about the monetary value of success but also attaining individual success. Thinking of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs the top being self-actualization and the definition of individual success. Many different eras have pasted but the American Dream is one thing has always been in everyones minds. With his Ph.D. in American Studies, Lawrence R. Samuel’s book The American Dream: A Cultural History talks about how the appeal of this American Dream ideal has always been a central idea to the American people. Samuel writes in his book: 

Rather than just a powerful philosophy or ideology, the American Dream is thoroughly woven into the fabric of everyday life. It plays a vital, active role in who we are, what we do, and why we do it. No other idea or mythology – even religion, I believe – has as much influence on our individual and collective lives, with the Dream one of the precious few things in this country that we all share (2).

It is impressive that our American Dream has such a powerful ideal that it is woven into today’s world of 329.5million of Americans everyday life and all the Americans that came before us. Challenging that the American Dream could be in thoughts of other countries as well. Cecilia Rosell, at Antioch University, writes about how girls from Sweden and Peru come to America to live the American Dream, hoping for a better life. 

Comparing the American Dream definition The Epic of America defines with Abraham Lincoln’s beliefs, they would challenge each other greatly. Adam believes that the American Dream is an opportunity of success, which to Adam is having more riches. While Lincoln stated during his “House Divided” speech that we cannot endure as a Union with half slave and half free states. Stating that as a Union, need to pick to either have all salve states or all free states. As a Union we need to support one another even if it as aliens. Lincoln states in his “First Inaugural Address” speech, 

One section of our country believes slavery is right, and ought to be extended, while the other believes it is wrong, and ought not to be extended… Physically speaking, we cannot separate. We cannot remove our respective sections from each other, nor build an impassable wall between them… Is it possible, then, to make that intercourse more advantageous or more satisfactory, after separation than before? Can aliens make treaties easier than friends can make laws? Can treaties be more faithfully enforced between aliens than laws can among friends? (Lincoln). 

Winner of Great Teacher Award from the Society of Columbia Graduates, Andrew Delbanco wrote in his book The Real American Dream: A Meditation of Hope one reason Lincoln was looked up to was that he “want every man to have this chance and I believe a black man is entitled to it” too (74). Where Adam and Lincoln challenge each other, the most is on their idea of success. James Truslow Adam and Abraham Lincoln both believe that the American Dream was wrapped around the idea of success, but Adam thought of his own opportunity of success where Lincoln thought more of the United States as a Union success. 

In today’s world, the American Dream is still alive and wrapped around the idea of success, just depends on how you want to define it. A writer from Antioch University, Cecilia Rosell a girl from Sweden writes, “America is a place where you have the opportunity to determine your own success” (Rosell). Whether that be happiness, early retirement, education, etc. Comparing Adams definition of the American Dream in 1931 to the idea of the American Dream today in 2021 the only thing that has really changed is the definition of success. To Lincoln and King’s American Dream is for success of more than just themselves. To Lincoln the American Dream is for the Union to be working in equality and to King the American Dream is for all colored Americans to be able to go home at night being judged on their character and not their color.