Transcendentalism
Origins and Influences
Transcendentalism is a philosophical and social movement that developed in the late 1820s and 1830s in the Eastern region of the United States. The movement was a reaction to, and against, the general state of intellectualism and spirituality at the time. It was heavily influenced by Romanticism, Platonism, and Kantian philosophy. The movement's core beliefs centered around inherent goodness of both people and nature.
Transcendentalists believed that society and its institutions—particularly organized religion and political parties—ultimately corrupted the purity of the individual. They had faith that people are at their best when truly "self-reliant" and independent. It is only from such real individuals that true community could be formed.
Key Figures
The central figure in the movement was Emerson, who was a former Unitarian minister. Other prominent transcendentalists included Thoreau, Fuller, and Alcott. Each of these individuals contributed significantly to the development and dissemination of transcendentalist beliefs.
Core Beliefs
Transcendentalists held progressive views on feminism and communal living. They also advocated for political and social reforms, including abolition of slavery and better conditions for factory workers. They believed in the concept of "self-reliance", the importance of nature, and the value of personal experience over formal learning.
Impact and Legacy
Transcendentalism significantly influenced the growth of American literature and the formation of the American identity. It also played a key role in the development of environmental thinking in the United States.