What did transcendentalist stand for?

Answer 1

Antitranscendentalism is a philosophical movement most notably associated with a period in literature during the nineteenth century. This movement was born directly out of resistance to the period's very popular transcendentalist themes in literature. Well-known authors such as Emerson and Thoreau were among the forefront of transcendentalism whereas Melville, Hawthorne, Crane and Poe are often credited as the leaders of antitranscendentalism. To understand antitranscendentalism, one must first learn of transcendentalism.

Transcendentalism was based on the belief in the concept that there was inherent good in man, nature and the universe. Appreciation for, and communion with, nature were common themes. In Thoreau's "Walden," the author had isolated himself in a cabin near a simple, peaceful pond. Thoreau had abandoned the modern accommodations of his time in order to retreat to a more simpler, natural habitation. The result of this regression was his personal serenity and spiritual growth. Transcendentalists believed nature was created by God. Therefore, nature was definitively good and man need only to transcend the narrow vision of modern-day life to connect with nature and glow in its pure goodness.

Antitranscendentalism, rose up to point out the flaws in the Utopian-like views of its counter-movement. To the antitranscendentalist, man was capable of evil and nature was destructive and indifferent. History has displayed innumerable characters driven by self-serving goals. From the common thieves, thugs and murderers of society to the tyrannical rulers of governments, humans proved corruptible and without compassion. Nature itself was capable of causing much pain and suffering through floods, fires, hurricanes, earthquakes, and disease.

Personally, I read into both philosophical opponents as equal parts of a larger concept. There is good and bad that can come from both man and nature. We see beauty and compassion all around us, if and when we focus our vision on those details. The same is true for the darker end of the spectrum. It cannot be fair to describe humans and the universe in which we exist without including the blatant suffering that occurs. These painful occurrences are caused by both man and nature. In my humble opinion, it is apparent that a balance exists between the potential for both good and evil. The boundaries separating the 2 qualities are representative illusions that blur and change often, especially as society grows and changes its interpretation of what is natural and what is synthetic. Ultimately, the argument should really shift from good vs. evil to purpose vs. probability. I could continue this tangent for countless paragraphs and still fail to reach any rational, well-defined conclusion. I will leave that to better and more energetic humans.

Answer 2

Transcendentalists believed in the inherent goodness of people and nature, the importance of individual intuition and self-reliance, and the idea that society and its institutions corrupted individuals. They sought spiritual connection with nature and emphasized personal growth through the pursuit of truth and knowledge.

Answer 3

Transcendentalists believed in doing what you believe is right and only doing what you believe is right. They were strongly against conformity, such as listening to a band because everyone else does. Transcendentalists also believed that nature allowed you to get closer to God.

To understand more read Walden by Henry David Thoreau or Self-Reliance by Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Answer 4

It is a philosophy that says our knowledge of reality comes from our own thought processes rather than scientific evidence. This was a religious view developed in the mid 1800's by a group of Unitarians in New England. Some thinking comes from the German Immanuel Kant, generally seen as being the founder of modern philospphy

Answer 5

a transcendentalist is one who follows a system of philosophy which seeks the fundamental form of thought and perception not empirically but intuitively