Transcendentalism

Transcendentalism Going Beyond Reason

Transcendentalism • in philosophy and literature is a belief in a higher reality than that found in sense experience or in a higher kind of knowledge than that achieved by human reason. Nearly all transcendentalist doctrines stem from the division of reality into a realm of spirit and a realm of matter. Such a division is made by many of the great religions of the world.

Philosophical Development • Developed by the Greek philosopher Plato. He affirmed the existence of absolute goodness, which he characterized as something beyond description and as knowable ultimately only through intuition. Later religious philosophers, influenced by Plato, applied this concept of transcendence to divinity, maintaining that God can be neither described nor understood in terms that are taken from human experience.

The doctrine that God is transcendent, in the sense of existing outside of nature, is a fundamental principle in the orthodox forms of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.

Transcendental Literature • In its most specific usage, transcendentalism refers to a literary and philosophical movement that developed in the U.S. in the first half of the 19th century. • Fundamental belief that man is good was held. • TRANSCENDENTALISM IS A BRANCH OF ROMANTICISM

The movement was, in part, a reaction to certain 18th-century rationalist doctrines, it was a reaction against Deism, which, although rationalist, was opposed to Calvinist orthodoxy. Transcendentalism also involved a rejection of the strict Puritan religious attitudes that were the heritage of New England, where the movement originated. In addition, it opposed the strict ritualism and dogmatic theology of all established religious institutions.

Transcendentalists • Were influenced by romanticism (especially such aspects as self-examination, the celebration of individualism, and the extolling of the beauties of nature and humankind). • expressed semireligious feelings toward nature, as well as the creative process, and saw a direct connection, or correspondence, between the universe (macrocosm) and the individual soul (microcosm).

The Over-Soul • Divinity permeated all objects, animate or inanimate, and the purpose of human life was union with the so-called Over-Soul. • Intuition, rather than reason, was regarded as the highest human faculty. • Fulfillment of human potential could be accomplished through mysticism or through an acute awareness of the beauty and truth of the surrounding natural world. • This process was regarded as inherently individual, and all orthodox tradition was suspect.

There is an inner "spark" contained by and connecting all facets of nature, including humankind, which can’t be discovered through logical reasoning but only through intuition, the creative insight and interpretation of one's own inner voices. Transcendentalists called for an independence from organized religion; they saw no need for any intercession between God and man. Divinity is self-contained, internalized in every being.

To "transcend" society one must first be able to look past and beyond it. One must follow his instincts and not conform to what society dictates. Although society will influence an individual towards conformity, it is important to remain true to one's self and to one's identity. Secondly, individualism includes being self-reliant. In his essay, “Self-Reliance”, Emerson urges the reader to "trust thyself."

Transcendentalism gives credence to the unlimited potential of human ability to connect with both the natural and spiritual world. The chief aim is to become fully aware not only of what our senses record, but also to recognize the ability of our inner voice—our intuition—to wisely and correctly interpret the sensory input. • Transcendentalists were idealistic and optimistic because they believed they could find answers to whatever they were seeking. All they had to do was learn to read, through their intuition, the external symbols of nature and translate them into spiritual facts.

Famous Authors • Ralph Waldo Emerson • Henry David Thoreau • Margaret Fuller • Louisa May Alcott

Transcendentalism