# Emanuel Swedenborg — Essays character guide

> Emanuel Swedenborg in Essays by Ralph Waldo Emerson.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0001-self-reliance

## Who they are

Swedish theologian and mystic, discussed for his spiritual and philosophical ideas.

## In the story

### [The Over-Soul](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emerson_essays_se/chapters/the-over-soul)

Grouped with Calvin as a representative of established religious doctrine that holds no power compared to the individual's direct experience of the soul.

### [Circles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emerson_essays_se/chapters/circles)

His philosophy is presented as a significant but ultimately limited 'circle' of thought, destined to be enclosed by a larger, subsequent system of ideas.

### [Intellect](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emerson_essays_se/chapters/intellect)

Mentioned as one of the thinkers (alongside Kant, Coleridge, Hegel) whose new doctrines initially seem to subvert all a young man's opinions, but must be fully engaged with.

### [The Poet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emerson_essays_se/chapters/the-poet)

Included among the great minds who perceive the spiritual significance behind material forms.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emerson_essays_se/characters/swedenborg
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emerson_essays_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emerson_essays_se/characters