The Comparisons of Charles Manson to Transcendental Philosophy


	Charles Manson and various members of his "family" brutally killed several people from the Tate and LaBianca family on two seperate ocassions.  The purposes of these killings are misunderstood by today's society, when ignoring Manson's philosophy.  Although Manson never killed anyone, he went to prison in 1969 for masterminding the operation.  Today's society has labeled Charles Manson as a mass-murderer who had no purpose through his cause.  However, society overlooks the goal of Manson's plan, which included creating a better society.  Manson continues to preach his cause through repeated parole attempts, behind the walls of a California prison where he resides currently.  His cause remains unknown to many, but several of Manson's underlying themes coincide with earlier transcendental views.

	Many of Charles Manson's beliefs include creating a better society by reducing the size of the government, and preserving the role of an individual in society.  This explains why Manson refused counsel at his trial, he represented himself until the judge found many of his motions "ludicrous" and appointed him an attorney.  Manson preached that only he could represent himself, because no one could preserve his individuality.  Mr. Manson lost his sixth amendment right to self-representation, and he uses this example now to prove that the individual rights of people are controlled and manipulated by the government.  

	The story of the "Manson Family" goes beyond the Tate/LaBianca murders, to years before the murders took place.  Manson and his "family" would gather together in a house, when generally they would sit contently and listen to Charles preach.  Usually the sermon would last for an hour or two and include stories and prophecies about the "revolution" that Manson felt was coming.  Manson called this revolution helter skelter, after a Beatles song, which he felt told about the future of our society.  Manson believed that the African-American members of our society were troublesome and would over-through the white race.  Therefore, Manson began to prepare for helter skelter by informing his family.  Instead of waiting for helter skelter, Manson wanted to prevent it by creating a utopian society that excluded the African-American race.  

	Above and beyond individuality, Manson felt that four important things needed preserved: air, water, trees, and animals.  Mr. Manson commonly refers to these things as AWTA, and claims that his "family gave their lives to unite the brothers and sisters of the world" with these standards.  The use of euphorics by Manson and his followers, provided an enhanced sense of individuality in an environment interacting with nature.  Manson commonly used music to get his message out to other people, and generally, he would end a session with songs prophesizing helter skelter orchestrated by his guitar.  Today, many of Manson's songs have been released under the Guns and Roses album name.  This angers Manson and extends his argument that the rights of an individual are no longer safe.  

	In his 1986 Parole Hearing Statement, Manson talks about how his "family wanted to stop a war and turn the government and world to peace."  He goes farther to say that his masterplan included preserving ATWA, which would extend to enhance the individual.  Both of these ideals were important to the transcendentalists of the 19th century.  The belief that the individual, not the government was key to society, was important to the transcendental philosophy.  Transcendental philosophy includes sacrament to nature and the individual through a self emanating god.  Manson preaches that God resides in him, this proves that Manson has adopted a God within himself, which compares to transcendental teachings.

	The term mass-murderer cannot describe Charles Manson as a person with ideals and beliefs.  Rather, a title of modern transcendentalist describes Manson's actions and preachings.  Although he sits behind prison walls today, his influence will linger on past his death, through transcendental writings.  Manson will probably never receive full credit for his beliefs and inspiration to create a better society, but people must remember that his ideas compare immensely to the great transcendental thinkers before him.