Transcendentalism

Definition

Transcendentalism is a philosophical and literary movement that emerged in the early 19th century, emphasizing the inherent goodness of people and nature, as well as the importance of individual intuition and spirituality over traditional societal norms. This movement championed the idea that humans can transcend the physical world and connect with a higher spiritual reality, which often reflected in the appreciation of picturesque and sublime landscapes.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Transcendentalism was closely associated with American authors like Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau, who wrote extensively about the relationship between humans and nature.
2. The movement advocated for a deep appreciation of nature as a pathway to understanding deeper truths about existence and spirituality.
3. Transcendentalists believed that each individual possesses an innate sense of right and wrong, emphasizing personal intuition over established doctrines or societal norms.
4. The picturesque and sublime landscapes celebrated by transcendentalists often served as a backdrop for their philosophical inquiries about life and existence.
5. Transcendentalism played a significant role in promoting social reforms in areas like abolitionism and women's rights, driven by its core beliefs in individual dignity and self-reliance.

Review Questions

• How did transcendentalism influence the perception of landscapes during its emergence in the early 19th century?
  • Transcendentalism greatly influenced how landscapes were perceived by promoting an emotional connection between individuals and nature. The movement viewed picturesque and sublime landscapes not just as aesthetic experiences but as vital sources of spiritual insight. Through the works of transcendentalist authors, these landscapes became symbols of deeper truths about existence, encouraging people to seek inspiration and moral clarity from their natural surroundings.
• Discuss the relationship between transcendentalist beliefs and the broader Romantic movement of the time.
  • Transcendentalism is closely linked to the broader Romantic movement as both emphasize emotion, nature, and individual experience. While Romanticism celebrated creativity and passion in art and literature, transcendentalists specifically focused on the spiritual dimensions found in nature. Both movements reacted against Enlightenment rationality but transcendentalists took it further by asserting that individuals could attain knowledge through personal intuition rather than through traditional education or societal conventions.
• Evaluate how transcendentalism's core principles impacted social reform movements in America during the 19th century.
  • Transcendentalism significantly shaped various social reform movements by advocating for individual rights and ethical living based on personal intuition. Its principles inspired activists involved in abolitionism and women's rights by encouraging them to challenge societal norms that oppressed marginalized groups. The belief in self-reliance and moral responsibility led transcendentalists to push for equality and justice, thus creating a legacy that intertwined philosophical thought with social activism during a transformative period in American history.

Related terms

Romanticism: An artistic and intellectual movement that emphasized emotion, individualism, and nature, reacting against the rationalism of the Enlightenment.

Nature: In transcendentalist thought, nature is seen as a source of inspiration and spiritual truth, embodying beauty and moral lessons.

Individualism: The belief in the moral worth of the individual, central to transcendentalism, which stresses personal intuition and independence.