Transcendentalism

Transcendentalism

There are a lucky few in life that can simply speak their thoughts and captivate the mind. Many people, at the same point in time, stopped to ponder the same idea; Transcendentalism. Thanks to its in-depth philosophies Transcendentalism was a movement that affected mystics, writers, philosophers, and scientists such as Emanuel Swedenborg, and influenced literature, politics, and society even to this day.

The transcendentalism movement elicited ideas and ways of life that transcendentalists believed all should follow. This happened in the late 1700’s and the 1800’s with Immanuel Kant being the chief influence. (“Transcendentalism” n.pag). The movement peaked in the 40’s and began among Unitarians in New England. (“Transcendentalism” n.pag.). Although it might seem like it, these ideas were not a religion they were simply a way of life and a way of understanding relationships. (“Transcendentalism…Philosophy” n.pag). Transcendentalists had some basic beliefs, but there were no set ‘rules’ or ‘guidelines’ to being a transcendentalist. Simply put, they believed that in order to achieve a higher level of spirituality, a person had to reject the life style of a conforming and materialistic society. The physical world was only learned through using senses and understanding. (“Transcendentalism” n.pag). They also thought that all people were basically good and, if given the opportunity, would make the right choices. (Naumann n.pag). An imperative factor to transcendentalists was nature. The main idea was that the closest thing to God is nature and that by contemplating it one could attain a higher level of spirituality and come closer to God. (Naumann n.pag). This leads to the real world which isn’t the physical...

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...y and civil rights using the idea that all people are good and are able to do ‘good’ and have the right to make their own choices. (Marrich, Bret n.p.). Most of the population today is influenced by the transcendental belief of rejecting the expectations from others. More and more people in this generation push against conformity and stereotypes in order to become their own person. It is apparent that Transcendentalism has had an imperative effect on others and the world.

Transcendentalism, put simply, is all about the person. Its ideas motivate people to develop themselves free of society’s beliefs of how they should act. Not only did this movement influence other people in the 1700’s-1800’s, thanks to philosophers like Swedenborg, but it still lives today, whether realized or not, and pushes people to push against anyone else’s beliefs and create their own.