1. TRANSCENDENTALISM Let’s all be one with nature for a few classes! Oh…and, according to transcendentalism, you are all inherently good and perfect.

2. How was your nature walk? Where did you go? What did you discover? How did you feel? WHY?

3. Precepts of Transcendentalism God’s presence in humans makes them divine There is unity in variety Man can perceive the divine in nature Celebration of individualism Faith in inherent goodness Belief that progress is inevitable Belief in self-reliance Human intuition is more important than outside authority.

4. Ralph Waldo Emerson Wrote landmark essay, “Nature,” in 1836, expressing philosophy of transcendentalism Gave a speech, based on “Nature,” which has been referred to as America’s “Intellectual Declaration of Independence”

5. Questions on Nature

6. Homework Read Self Reliance: Annotate accordingly by paraphrasing sections.

7. Happy Friday! Have out Self-Reliance and today’s handout HW: Bring in a Current Event and read and annotate out last essay “Civil Disobedience”

8. Precepts of Transcendentalism God is all-loving; the divine’s presence in humans makes them divine and assures their salvation. Humans are inherently good. Body, soul, and nature are connected, not separate. Human intuition is as valuable as the “5” senses. A balance between unity and variety is important Humans can access the divine through the natural world. Individuality is celebrated. Humans need to be self-reliant. If humans live according to transcendental ideals, progress is inevitable.

9. Self Reliance Master your paragraph Our goal is to work with philosophical essays to understand transcendental ideas.

10. Understanding “Self Reliance” Trust ourselves Unique voices and opinions Society is concerned with wealth; structure is based on fear Be present/savor each moment Trust our own instincts Fear of alienation prevents voice Avoid ego Fulfillment vs success Expression vs conforming

11. Partner Questions What are the major barriers (in your own words) to self-reliance? What are the implications of self- reliance for business? For religion? For democracy? For traveling? For art?

12. HW: Current Event; Read Civil Disobedience - Note the key ideas of Thoreau’s message - Note what Thoreau wants people to do? What actions should people take? -Note how Thoreau’s idea connects with or clashes with Emerson’s ideas.

13. Day 3: Civil Disobedience Skim back through the article: Locate three points that you agree with Locate three points that you disagree with

14. Anti-transcendentalist? Would you call Hawthorne an anti- transcendentalist? Anti-transcendentalists: Saw existence/spirituality as struggle between good and evil More pessimistic than Transcendentalists Thought nature was too vast and incomprehensible Thought Transcendentalism selfish and impractical Feared that, without external constraints, people would only be motivated to fulfill immediate needs for sensory gratification (scandalous!!)

15. Philosophical Circles In groups of three… Have your chart out… Round 1: Go around the circle and choose something that you wrote down that you agree with and discuss the topic Open forum- listen/share/challenge Round 2: Switch groups and repeat with something you disagreed.

16. “Civil Disobedience” Groups of four – quickly review the essay for clarity Consider how these ideas correlate with politics and news events today

17. Your poster/presentation Ensure you can thoroughly summarize the article for the class. At least five quotes (from the essays) connecting to transcendental philosophies Three of which must be from “Civil Disobedience” Each one should have a sentence describing connection Include annotations on what transcendentalists would advise

18. “Success” by Emerson To laugh often and love much; To win the respect of intelligent people and affection of children, To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.