TRANSCENDENTALISM Meaning and
Definition
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Transcendentalism is a philosophical and literary movement that emerged in the early to mid-19th century in New England, particularly associated with Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, and their contemporaries. It is characterized by a belief in the inherent goodness of human beings, the essential unity of all creation, and the ability of individuals to connect with a higher spiritual reality through intuition and the transcendence of everyday experiences.
At its core, transcendentalism emphasizes the idea that individuals have direct access to spiritual truth and knowledge, which is not dependent on organized religion or societal conventions. It encourages self-reliance, individualism, and the exploration of the natural world as a means to connect with the divine. Transcendentalists reject the hierarchical structures and dogmas of traditional religious institutions in favor of personal spiritual experiences.
The movement also celebrates the importance of nature, seeing it as a mirror that reflects the divine and provides individuals with a source of inspiration and revelation. Transcendentalists advocate for the unification of the physical and spiritual realms and believe that divinity can be found in every aspect of existence, from the smallest blade of grass to the vastness of the cosmos.
Transcendentalist ideas have had a profound impact on American literature and cultural thought, emphasizing individualism, self-expression, and non-conformity. They laid the groundwork for later philosophical and social movements, such as American pragmatism and the environmentalist movement, shaping the way modern individuals think about their relationship with the natural world and their search for meaning and purpose.
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That system of philosophic inquiry which, by depreciating expreience, loses sight of the relation which facts and phenomena sustain to principles; in phil., that kind of investigation or use of language which is vague, obscure, or extravagant.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
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Etymology of TRANSCENDENTALISM
The word "transcendentalism" comes from the Latin word "transcendere", which means "to climb over" or "to surpass". Transcendentalism emerged as a philosophical and literary movement in the early 19th century in the United States. It was influenced by German Romanticism and the teachings of Immanuel Kant, who used the term "transcendental" to refer to knowledge or experience that goes beyond the limits of ordinary human perception.
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