What is transcendentalism?
A philosophical movement emphasizing spiritual and intuitive thinking rather than logical thinking and scientific reasoning.
Transcendentalism: A Higher Plane of Literary and Philosophical Thinking
Transcendentalism was a 19th century American literary and philosophical movement that emphasized the power and beauty of the natural world, individualism, and self-reliance, while rejecting the constraints of society, organized religion, and rationalism.
Transcendentalists believed in the universal and innate goodness of humans and nature, and that individuals could access a higher spiritual dimension through intuition, imagination, and individual conscience, rather than relying on dogma or doctrine.
Transcendentalism influenced American literature greatly, particularly the works of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, and Walt Whitman, as well as the Transcendental Club, a group of friends and literary figures who met in New England to discuss their ideas and beliefs.
Transcendentalism is a philosophy that emphasizes individualism, the beauty of nature, and the importance of intuition over reason. It has had a deep and lasting impact on American literature, particularly during the 19th century. Below are two examples of literary works that embrace this philosophy:
This essay is often considered the most important work of Transcendentalist literature. In it, Emerson argues that individuals can connect with the divine and achieve a sense of harmony with the world by immersing themselves in nature and paying attention to their own experiences and thoughts.
This book, Thoreau's most famous work, chronicles his life in a cabin in the woods and his quest for a deeper spiritual connection with the world around him. Thoreau believed in living simply and in harmony with nature, and his book is a celebration of the beauty of the natural world and the importance of individual freedom and self-reliance.