Transcendentalism Essay

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A Rewarding Lifestyle
The ideals of Transcendentalism have transcended throughout time. Transcendentalists are known for civil disobedience and individual intuition. One of the most well-known Transcendentalists is Henry David Thoreau. Thoreau was one who fought for individual intuition, passion for nature and simplicity and abolition.
Transcendentalists focus on the emphasis of individual intuition and fighting for beliefs. “Transcendentalism emphasized individual intuition as a central means of understanding reality” (Quinn 1). The ideals of stress the importance of understanding one`s beliefs and gut feelings in order to understand their place and purpose in reality. Many Transcendentalists lived a very rewarding life that was “[…] free from the constraints of the material as well as the expectations of the social world” (Wayne 1). Transcendentalists believed that in order to be fully in check with one`s beliefs, one must live free from worldly matters and constraints from the acceptance of others. Henry David Thoreau is one of the most iconic Transcendentalists, “his ultimate goal was to find his place in the universe. He developed his senses to ascertain more accurately where that place was” (Harding 2). Many people try to find their place in the world, and develop a true sense of who they …show more content…

He was devoted to his work and his beliefs and “encourage [individuals] in their duty to fight in specific instances” (Harding 9). Thoreau was devoted to work to reform the society for the better, and “from the beginning of his life to the very end, Thoreau believed that all reform must come from within and cannot be imposed by any outside force. We cannot reform society; we can reform only the individual” (Harding 7). In result of Thoreau`s strong leadership and good works and beliefs he believed that “the reformation of society will automatically follow” (Harding 7), in result of his actions and

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