Transcendentalism

It's the beauty within us that makes it possible for us to recognise the beauty around us. The question is not what you look at but what you see.

Henry David Thoreau

Transcendentalism is a philosophical and literary movement that began in the late 1820s in the northeastern United States. It centres on the idea that people and nature are inherently good, but society has corrupted this purity. Transcendentalists believe in self-reliance and independence, seeing divine experiences in everyday life rather than in a distant heaven. They view physical and spiritual phenomena as part of ongoing processes, not separate entities.

Transcendentalism is one of the earliest philosophical movements in the United States, marking a significant point in American philosophy. It prioritises subjective intuition over objective evidence and challenges traditional intellectual and spiritual beliefs. Transcendentalism was influenced by English and German Romanticism, as well as philosophical ideas from figures like Immanuel Kant and Emanuel Swedenborg.

Transcendentalism believes that truth is accessible through intuition, rather than through logical reasoning or empirical evidence. They viewed intuition as a direct connection to the divine knowledge and the universe. Transcendentalists rejected the Enlightenment value of reason and science, arguing that these methods are unable to grasp deeper spiritual truths. Intuition was seen by them as an innate, divine ability, which allows one to recognise the unity and interconnection of all nature.

The Oversoul is a universal spirit which connects all beings, embodies the divine essence within the universe. Ralph Waldo Emerson introduced the concept and described it as an omnipresent, monistic and unfragmented force. According to him, individual souls are not separate from the Oversoul, but are manifestations of it.

Transcendentalism believes that nature is sacred and is a direct expression of divinity, providing access to the Oversoul for individual beings. Nature is not just a resource or passive environment; it is spiritually significant and is a source of inspiration and wisdom.

They advocated for contemplation of nature, as observing and experiencing natural phenomena can lead to inner peace and reveal truths about life and the universe.

Transcendentalists believed that humans are inherently good and possess the potential for self-improvement and moral development. They believed that social structures and institutions, rather than human nature, are corrupt and lead to immorality. It contrasted with Christian doctrines of original sin and divine punishment, which dominated American religious beliefs.

Through self-reliance and spiritual development, individuals could overcome social constraints and express their true, pure nature.

Transcendentalists believed in self-reliance, that each person should trust their inner voice and pursue authenticity, rather than conforming to social norms and political institutions. They saw individualism not as selfishness, but as a step towards realising one's potential and authentic expression, which would lead to healthy and moral contribution to society.

Transcendentalists rejected the pursuit of material wealth and power, believing that they distract individuals from their spirituality and freedom. In contrast, they advocated for simplicity of lifestyle and cultivating inner knowledge as true value.

They criticised institutional religion and priests, who were supposed to mediate the relationship between the divine and humans, which was seen as completely corrupt. They advocated for personal, unmediated spirituality and contact with God.

Transcendentalism believes in the importance of art, literature and other forms of creative expression as ways to connect with the divine. They viewed art as a means of transcending the ordinary and accessing an intuitive form of truth.

If the machine of government is of such a nature that it requires you to be the agent of injustice to another, then, I say, break the law.

Henry David Thoreau

Thoreauism is a philosophy based on the writings of the American essayist, poet, philosopher, naturalist and leading transcendentalist Henry David Thoreau. He advocated for solidarity and simple living in natural surroundings, and for rejection of society and civil ties such as contracts and memberships. Thoreau is often referred to as an anarchist or proto-anarchist. The government, according to Thoreau, is not just a little corrupt or unjust in the course of doing its otherwise-important work, but in fact the government is primarily an agent of corruption and injustice. Because of this, it is "not too soon for honest men to rebel and revolutionize". Thus, he believed that the best government was the one that governed the least. At the same time, however, he wasn't advocating for the immediate abolition of government, but rather for the immediate betterment of government.

Thoreau believed that the world conspires to be good, and so it is against tyranny, slavery, violence, etc. He also believed that people shouldn't completely abide by the moral or civil code and instead make decisions based on what they find to be right. Thoreauism argues that nationalism and patriotism are the greatest diseases afflicting mankind because they confine men to the pride of their country, of which they will serve and die for, rather than something of their own.

Some of Thoreau's moral viewpoints seem to derive from Christianity, but he somewhat rejected it because, according to him, the Bible is "just some old book". He also seemed to share some aspects of Animism, but only with nature: he believed that the tree is just as worthy or more worthy to go to Heaven than the man who cut it down, though this is not an exact or enforced belief, but more so just a philosophical view of his.

Thoreau himself likely was asexual. He never married and was childless. In 1840, when he was 23, he proposed to eighteen-year-old Ellen Sewall, but she refused him, on the advice of her father. Sophia Foord proposed to him, but he rejected her. Bronson Alcott wrote that Thoreau "seemed to have no temptations. All those strong wants that do battle with other men's nature, he knew not." Thoreau also believed sex and masturbation are unnatural and bad, but the passing of the season is like a new forgiveness to the soul.

Transcendentalism is calm and peaceful, and usually does not like hanging out with others. He's internally romanticising and sweet, outwardly stoic and intellectual.

Related philosophies: Dark Romanticism

1. Draw a ball.
2. Draw a blue eye.
3. Draw a hat above the ball and you're done!

• Liberalism & Libertarianism - My allies.
• Liberal Theology - My basis for dismissing interpreting bible.

• Marxism - You acknowledge that I was right to oppose slavery, but I'm not a 'contradictory philosophy'.

• Dark Romanticism - Stop mocking me!
• Dogmatism - My inner voice matters more than dogmas.

WIP

• Transcendentalism