TRANSCENDENTALISM Transcend: (verb) to rise above or go beyond; exceed. A literary and philosophical movement celebrating individuality, self-reliance, and the awesome wonders of nature. The transcendentalists turned to nature and intuition to transcend reality and achieve a higher state of consciousness.
ORIGINS Transcendentalism evolved from many sources including: Plato Pascal Transcendentalism evolved from many sources including: British Romanticism The German Philosopher Immanuel Kant The Greek Philosopher Plato The French Mathematician Pascal The Swedish Mystic and Scientist Swedenborg Buddhist thought The Buddha Swedenborg
Background : Causes 1830s: The Industrial Revolution Machines were taking the place of people. Societal “progress,” not the individual, was important. Nature was pushed aside in favor of the mechanized world.
The Transcendentalists said “NO!” The individual is important! Nature must be observed and celebrated, as it reveals the answers to all of life’s questions. The two most famous Transcendentalists are: Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau
Basic Principles The most fundamental “Real” truths of life lie outside the experience of the senses. They reside in the “Over-Soul.” Through intuition, not rational analysis, unite the individual psyche or “Atman,” with the world psyche, (the “Over-soul” or “Brahma”). Paradox: Every soul and all of nature is part of the “Over-Soul,” a universal spirit. Every soul is a microcosm of the world itself.
Principles (Continued) The human mind is the most powerful force in the universe. (not machines!) The structure of the universe duplicates the structure of the individual self. All knowledge, therefore, begins with self-knowledge. Aristotle: “Know thyself.” Strive to achieve a paradoxical state of transcendent consciousness: Embrace the world; know and become one with the world. remain unique, self reliant, and separate from the world.
Some Transcendental Thoughts: Look to the natural world for guidance and understanding. Become a transparent eyeball: see everything. Be independent and self-reliant. Be unique: March to the beat of a different drummer.
Transcendental Thoughts (continued) Simplify, Simplify, Simplify. Do not be afraid to be misunderstood. Live life to its fullest. Be optimistic: “The sun is but a morning star” (Thoreau).
Transcendentalism in a Nutshell Whenever writers celebrate the individual, whenever they look to the natural world for understanding, whenever they state that there is more to life than the reality around us, they owe a debt to the transcendentalists!
1. Transcend means to: Go below B. Rise above C. Go through D. Go across 2. Transcendentalism was a response to: A. The American revolution B. The equal rights movement C. the Modernist movement D. the industrial revolution 3. In transcendentalism, Nature is: A. celebrated B. deemphasized C. ignored D. created 4. Transcendentalism encourages A. individuality B. industrial progress C. rational thought D. adding layers of complexity to one’s life. 5. According to the transcendentalists, the most powerful force in the universe is: A. nature B. all of humanity working together C. the human mind D. the black hole 6. According to the transcendentalists, every soul and all of nature is part of the: A. Utopia B. Central Eye C. Metamorphosis D. Over-Soul 7. Which of the following is not a transcendental thought: A. Above all else, forgive B. Simplify, simplify, simplify C. March to the beat of a different drummer D. Be self-reliant BONUS: What is the name of the pond that Thoreau built his cabin beside?