TRANSCENDENTALISM

Why is it called Transcendentalism?

Transcend means to exceed, surpass, or go beyond something.

Transcendentalists (followers of the movement) generally had a collection of very diverse ideas about literature, philosophy, religion, social reform, and the general state of American culture.

Being a transcendentalist meant something different and unique for each person involved in the movement.

What did Transcendentalists Believe?

What did Transcendentalists believe?

Belief in the “Self” instead of looking for a higher power for guidance, such as God or the church

Humans are essentially good Insight/Intuition (what you naturally

believe) is more powerful and important than experience or logical thinking and reason

All living things are connected-Nature is an escape from the evils and materialism of society

Basic Beliefs

Self-Reliance/Self-Confidence

Non-conformity/Rejection of the materialistic

Importance of Nature Free Thought –Intuitive

Where did it come from? Ralph Waldo Emerson (a famous

transcendentalist) gave German philosopher Immanuel Kant credit for popularizing the term “transcendentalism in the 1700s”

It began as a reform movement in the Unitarian church.

1830s - Emerson helped found the “Transcendental Club”

It is not a religion-, it is a philosophy or form of spirituality.

Historical Background American Revolution inspired many artists to

create an “American Identity” that was separate from England.

Reaction against some of the other movements of the time (Enlightenment, Age of Reason)

Many aspects of “American” culture were changing Ex. Politics

Industrialism=Expansion Technological Advances

Who were some of the Transcendentalists?

Ralph Waldo Emerson Henry David Thoreau Margaret Fuller

Ralph Waldo Emerson 1803-1882 Unitarian minister Poet and essayist, and

popular lecturer Wrote essay, Nature and

Self-Reliance Founded the

Transcendental Club in 1836-popularized the belief

Considered the “Father” of Transcendentalism

Supporter of abolitionism

Henry David Thoreau 1817-1862 Schoolteacher, essayist,

poet Most famous for Walden

and Civil Disobedience Lived with the Emerson

family from 1841-1843 Influenced environmental

movement-Environmentalist

Supporter of abolitionism

Margaret Fuller 1810-1850 Journalist, critic,

women’s rights activist First editor of The Dial, a

transcendental journal First female journalist to

work on a major newspaper—The New York Tribune

Taught at Alcott’s Temple School

Shared Definition of Transcendentalism

Discussion Questions How are you affected by nature? Do you find comfort in it? Do

you reflect the moods of nature?  What is the role of nature in your life?  What is meant by an individual's spiritual side? How to you

define it?  Is there a connection between the individual's spirit and

nature? If so, what is that connection?  What does it mean to know something intuitively? For

example, has a parent or a sibling ever known something was wrong with you without having talked with or seen you? What do we mean when we say "I just know it"? 

How do you demonstrate that you are an individual? Do you think independently of others or do you follow the crowd?