When it comes to the topic of how Henry David Thoreau chooses the audience for his texts, many agree that the reasoning involved the writer's desire to achieve results rather than convincing an audience. When this arrangement usually ends, however, the question arises as to why Thoreau ignores people who support the Mexican-American War and slavery and instead focuses on those who protest such issues. His writing philosophy in the essays “Civil Disobedience” and “Economics” shows his favoritism towards the idea that individuals need the freedom to exercise their conscience and that this leads to success. His goals of targeting the unhappy and speaking openly about their discontent show potential that challenges slavery and war. Accordingly, this article will address how Thoreau's philosophy addresses the disgruntled minority who express their grievances and exercise their conscience. First, his philosophy reflects the choice of his audience. His philosophy results in targeting those who express their opinions against current events surrounding war and slavery. Thoreau targets the obvious and argues that since his opposition gains nothing from changing the current order, he refuses to waste time on that point. By his standards, those who conform fail to exercise their conscience and are therefore useless in bringing about change. He refuses to target “those who find their encouragement and inspiration in the very present contagion of things, and inspiration in the very present condition of things” (“Economics” Par. 21). The writer refuses to waste time changing the opinions of those who favor slavery and war because he deems them unworthy of achieving results. In other words, he believes that success is quicker by targeting those who express discontent... middle of paper... needs to be challenged and, in this writer's opinion, the only way to achieve this is through potential for discontent. Complaints go against the order and have the ability to organize and change traditions. If it targeted those who conformed, the efforts would be in vain because changing minds is more difficult than structuring an argument. The conformed have no potential to challenge the order, and changing their minds proves more difficult than organizing the minority. Thoreau's philosophy of achieving change through the potential of the minority therefore translates into public choice. Works Cited Thoreau, Henry D. "Economics." Walden, Civil Disobedience and Other Writings. New York: W. W. Norton and Company, 2008. Print.Thoreau, Henry D. “Civil Disobedience.” Walden, Civil Disobedience and Other Writings. New York: W. W. Norton and Company, 2008. Print.