TRANSCENDENTALISM A distinctly American philosophy Reaction against both Puritanism and the Age of Reason Reaction against the materialism, rationalism, and conformity of American society Resulted in significant regeneration of values in America

RALPH WALDO EMERSON Transcendental “club” began in his home Moral philosopher – what’s important is how we should live A minister, but against organized religion Publishes The Dial - a journal that expresses Trans. viewpoint on philosophy, literature, religion

EMERSON’S BELIEFS We know instinctively what is right and true, and will DO what is right because we are GOOD Human potential is unlimited. It is foolish to worry about consistency because truth is always evolving The here and now is what’s important There is spiritual unity of all forms of being: God, humanity, and nature share the same soul (the Over-soul) SO, every individual and every part of the natural world deserves respect

EMERSON’S BELIEFS CONT’D Spontaneous feelings and intuition are superior to deliberate intellectualism and rationality. SO… We need to follow not reason, but intuition; to trust ourselves and not rely on others (religion, governments, etc.)

EMERSON’S WRITINGS Published The Dial Delivered a series of lectures through the Lyceum movement Best known as essayist (Nature, Self- Reliance, The Over- Soul) Also wrote poetry (Concord Hymn)

TRUST THYSELF God enters by a private door into every individual Be an opener of doors Every wall is a door Good men must not obey the laws too well.

HENRY DAVID THOREAU A main transmitter of Emerson’s ideas Practiced the Transcendental idea of “living simply” at Walden Pond Wrote “Walden” about his experience

Thoreau’s Beliefs Like Emerson, Thoreau believed that man is basically good. If man is good, we don’t really need government. Thoreau didn’t pay his taxes because he didn’t want to support the Mexican American War. He spent a night in jail and wrote about his protest in “Civil Disobedience” Walden Pond

WALT WHITMAN Transcendental poet One of America’s most innovative poets Believed poetry should be simple and natural, so he used no meter or rhyme Used a “cataloguing” technique Best known for Leaves of Grass

INFLUENCE OF TRANSCENDENTALISM Fought against slavery Promoted reform and civil disobedience Early supporters of feminism (Margaret Fuller co-edited The Dial) Supported utopian communities such as Brook Farm Questioned materialism and conformity in their society

LASTING EFFECTS OF TRANSCENDENTALISM Importance of the individual over the group ( “rugged individualism” – still part of American psyche) Importance of individual sense of what is true and right (Protest and civil disobedience part of American life) Influenced later writers, thinkers, and social reformers (Gandhi, Dr. King, Nelson Mandela, Steve Biko, Cesar Chavez)

“We are always getting ready to live – there is very little life in a lifetime.” - Thoreau

“No law can be sacred to me but that of my own nature.” - Emerson

“For nonconformity the world whips you with displeasure.” - Emerson

“Why should we live with such hurry and waste of life?” - Thoreau