Transcendentalism

Definition

Transcendentalism is a philosophical and literary movement that emerged in the early 19th century, emphasizing individual intuition and the inherent goodness of people and nature. It advocates for self-reliance, nonconformity, and a deep connection to the natural world, reflecting the broader ideals of Romanticism that celebrate emotion and individual experience over rationalism.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Transcendentalism arose as a reaction against the rationalism of the Enlightenment and the materialism of industrial society.
2. The movement promoted a belief in the unity of all creation, suggesting that individuals can achieve a higher understanding through personal intuition.
3. Transcendentalists believed that nature was a source of inspiration and truth, often seeking solitude in natural settings to reflect on their ideas.
4. The philosophy encourages social reform, with transcendentalists often advocating for abolitionism, women's rights, and educational improvements.
5. The publication of 'The Dial,' a transcendentalist journal, played a crucial role in spreading the movement's ideas and writings from key figures.

Review Questions

• How did transcendentalism reflect the values and concerns of the Romantic era?
  • Transcendentalism is deeply rooted in the values of the Romantic era, particularly its emphasis on emotion, nature, and individual experience. It rejected the rational thought promoted during the Enlightenment, instead advocating for intuition as a means to connect with both self and nature. By focusing on the inherent goodness of people and promoting nonconformity, transcendentalists aligned closely with Romantic ideals that celebrated human emotion and sought deeper truths beyond the material world.
• Evaluate the impact of Ralph Waldo Emerson's philosophy on transcendentalism and its followers.
  • Ralph Waldo Emerson significantly shaped the philosophy of transcendentalism through his essays and lectures that encouraged self-reliance and individualism. His ideas inspired a generation of writers and thinkers, including Henry David Thoreau, who embraced Emerson's call to connect deeply with nature and trust one's intuition. Emerson's belief in the spiritual unity of all life helped to elevate transcendentalist principles beyond mere literary expression into a broader social movement that encouraged personal freedom and reform.
• Assess how transcendentalist beliefs influenced social reform movements in the 19th century.
  • Transcendentalist beliefs had a profound impact on various social reform movements in the 19th century by promoting ideas of equality, justice, and personal responsibility. Their emphasis on individual conscience inspired activists involved in abolitionism and women's rights, encouraging them to advocate for social change based on moral principles. The transcendentalist notion that individuals can access truth through intuition also empowered reformers to challenge societal norms and pursue progressive causes that aimed to improve conditions in America.

Related terms

Ralph Waldo Emerson: An American essayist, lecturer, and poet who was a central figure in the transcendentalist movement, promoting ideas of self-reliance and individuality.

Henry David Thoreau: A writer and philosopher known for his works on nature and civil disobedience, particularly his book 'Walden,' which embodies transcendentalist ideals.

Romanticism: An artistic and intellectual movement that emerged in the late 18th century, characterized by an emphasis on emotion, nature, and individualism, which laid the groundwork for transcendentalism.