The Transcendentalist movement

• The movement was considered to span between the years of 1836 and 1860.
• At the beginning of the 1800s, the younger generation in Boston showed a dislike for old patriotism, and America’s wealth and power did not interest them. Instead, they turned to more spiritual ways, they studied old philosophies and many kept diaries of their feelings.
• From here, Transcendentalism appeared based on feelings and beliefs. They rejected the old conservative Puritanism and new Unitarianism (both Christian based).
• They did, however, keep to the wisdom of Christ’s teachings, and held them in high esteem with Shakespeare’s works and the great philosophers, especially Plato.
• Transcendentalism was a reaction against the extreme rationalism of Enlightenment.
• They were the philosophical side of Romanticism.
• Transcendentalism flourished during the peak of Romanticism in Europe and America. It was a reaction against convention, and looked to emphasise emotion, spirituality, and subjectivity.
• They leaned towards feelings and intuition rather than logic. God was found everywhere, in people and in nature. Although some criticized it as childish and vague, it was true to their feelings.
• Between the different Transcendentalists there was little overlap, as each one had their own interpretation. What united them was their basic beliefs about our place in the universe. They were not a formal group with a cohesive doctrine.
• For them, if we are created by God, and God is good and just, then we must also be innately good and just. This outlook gave dignity and importance to human activity, creating a belief in a person’s power to create both personal and social improvements, in harmony with God’s purpose. Which is what led Transcendentalists to take part in social reform.
• They were against slavery and for women’s rights.
• They also supported Native American education and rights, and world peace.
• Although it centres on the self, it is not a movement completely devoid of the collective and social concerns.

Why it arose when it did

• It was a humanistic philosophy, putting the individual at the centre of the universe and promoted respect for human capabilities. It was a movement against increasing industrialization, dehumanization, and materialism.
• In the early XIX century, right before Transcendentalism, there was a dissatisfaction with existing religions, and their harsh, unforgiving beliefs.
• Another reason is the availability of old texts in English after the year 1800. Americans travelled to Europe, and also studied there, and some brought back books when they came home. The increase of translations of European texts and their availability gave them access to European ideals.

Characteristics

• For Transcendentalists, a person knew themselves through intuition and the study of nature, not through books.
• They believed that truth was innate, and the knowledge of truth was intuitive, going beyond the five senses and experience.
• They connected the “self” with the cosmic through intuition rather than reason.
• Transcendentalism says that reason doesn’t count, only intuition, so if you feel God is in nature, then he must exist. This is also a reason it belongs to Romanticism.
• Oversoul: a cosmic unity between man, God, and nature.
• Writers advised people to find moments of solitude where they could reflect on themselves and connect to the Oversoul.
• They believed a person must have a direct connection with God and Nature, and searched for a personal, not institutional, connection with the divine.
• The individual was very important, and a focus was made on the uniqueness of each person to reflect on their inner-self and explore their own beliefs. This is the reason why there is no formal doctrine between Transcendentalists.
• Nature was also very important to Transcendentalists, it provided the individual with spiritual inspiration and a heightened sense of awareness, this helped them to connect with their surroundings, the spiritual, and the divine.
• It encouraged people to trust their instincts and rely on their own judgement, not conform to society’s dictations. It promotes self-discovery and authenticity.
• They believed people should be self-sufficient and self-reliant.
• Transcendentalism is an idealistic movement as they believe in higher truths and a human’s potential to reach them.
• The presence of the divine spirit in both nature and the human soul, made a direct understanding of God, and a way to self-understanding. Self-understanding led to the perceptions of higher truth.