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.

Common traits of American Transcendentalists

As defined in "The Transcendentalist" by Ralph Waldo Emerson:

Related Topics:
The Transcendentalist - Ralph Waldo Emerson

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• Respect for intuitions
• Withdrawal from labor and competition
• Pursuit of a critical, solitary lifestyle
• Consciousness of the disproportion between a person's faculties and the work provided for them.
• Repel influences
• Shun general society
• An appreciation for nature, specifically nature's symbolism
• Life in rural settings
• Work and play in solitude
• Have a passion for the extraordinary
• Not good for citizens or members of society
• * Unwilling to bear their part of public and private burdens
• Childlike; joyous, affectionate, susceptible, more than average wish to be loved
• Make extreme demands on human nature
• Disappointed in humanity
• Sociable
• Lack private ends to their means
• United with every trait and talent of beauty and power
• Idealistic
• Admits the unreliability of the senses
• Respects the government only so far as it reinforces the law of their minds
• Reality originates from an "unknown centre" inside of themselves
• Accepts spiritual doctrine
• Do not share in public religious rites, enterprises of education, missions foreign or domestic, activism, or voting
• Essentially dead or paralyzed
• * Even though their participation in society is out of character, they choose to participate as dissidents
• Reject routine, because there is not much virtue in it
• Constantly waiting for a high command
• Lovers and worshippers of society
• Disdain for organized education