Transcendentalism

Transcendentalism was the name of a group of new ideas in literature, religion, culture, and philosophy that advocates that there is an ideal spiritual state that 'transcends' the physical and empirical and is only realized through a knowledgeable intuitive awareness that is conditional upon the individual. Essentially, the ability to perceive the spiritual, because you "feel" it. The concept emerged in New England in the early-to mid-nineteenth century. It is sometimes called "American Transcendentalism" to distinguish it from other uses of the word transcendental. It began as a protest against the general state of culture and society at the time, and in particular, the state of intellectualism at Harvard and the doctrine of the Unitarian church which was taught at Harvard Divinity School.

Related Topics:
Literature - Religion - Culture - Philosophy - Spiritual - New England - Nineteenth century - Transcendental - Society - Intellectualism - Harvard - Unitarian - Harvard Divinity School

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Prominent Transcendentalists included Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Margaret Fuller, as well as Bronson Alcott, Orestes Brownson, William Ellery Channing, Frederick Henry Hedge, Theodore Parker, and George Putnam.

Related Topics:
Ralph Waldo Emerson - Henry David Thoreau - Margaret Fuller - Bronson Alcott - Orestes Brownson - William Ellery Channing - Frederick Henry Hedge - Theodore Parker - George Putnam

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