Transcendentalism Henry David Thoreau Ralph Waldo Emerson Transcendentalism

• Early 1800’s movement in 3 areas: • Literature • •HenryPhilosophy David Thoreau • •RalphSpirituality Waldo Emerson • Centers on a belief that we can only reach our truest potential when we “rise above” the limitations that society places on us. Inspiration/BackgroundTranscendentalism

• This was part of America’s Romantic Period. Henry David Thoreau ••The Romantics were poets/artists rebelling •AGAINSTRalph Waldo the EmersonEnlightenment (a.k.a.: The Age of Reason). ENLIGHTENMENT vs. ROMANTICISM • 1700’s • 1800’s • Like citiesTranscendentalism• Like nature • Thought • Emotion • Reason• Henry David Thoreau • Imagination Logic Intuition • • Ralph Waldo Emerson • • Complex • Simple • Rational • Mysterious • Experiments/facts • Opinions/Personal truth • Society: norms & systems • Nature: wild & untamed • Change • Tradition • Strength of Society • Spirit of Individual • Standardized religion • Personal religion; supernatural TranscendentalTranscendentalism Beliefs

Transcendentalists believe in a balance of both Enlightenment & Romanticism. • Don’tHenry wantDavid toThoreau discredit the genius of •manyRalph EnlightenmentWaldo Emerson thinkers. • But being born out of Romanticism, it has undeniable biases towards it. TranscendentalismCARPE DIEM

• Live your life now so that you don’t • Henryregret David or fear Thoreau death. • •RalphDeath Waldo is mysterious, Emerson and that’s the way it should be. INTERCONNECTEDNESSTranscendentalism

• Everything in the Universe comes from • Henrythe same David source. Thoreau • •RalphEverything Waldo sharesEmerson the same energy. • We are all a part of everything. INTERCONNECTEDNESSTranscendentalism

• They believe that … • God • •HenryThe UniverseDavid Thoreau • •RalphNature Waldo (not Emerson nature) • The Great Spirit • The Force ...are all the same thing. INTERCONNECTEDNESSTranscendentalism

• Religiously, they are pantheists (pantheism). • Pan = all, Theos = God • Henry David Thoreau • God is in all things • Ralph Waldo Emerson • or that God is all things. • (Don’t confuse with Polytheism - many gods) INTERCONNECTEDNESSTranscendentalism

They believe in miracles. •• Henry David Thoreau Not everything needs to have an •Ralph Waldo Emerson • explanation. TranscendentalismNONCONFORMITY

• Don’t follow the crowd. • Believe in yourself. ••ButHenry there David is a catch…. Thoreau ••WhatRalph happens Waldo Emersonwhen you declare yourself a nonconformist? • You are conforming to all the other nonconformists. Transcendentalism

• Henry David Thoreau • Ralph Waldo Emerson TranscendentalismPOLARITY

• They understand the balance of opposing forces in the world. ••Can’tHenry have David one Thoreau without the other ••HowRalph do Waldo you know Emerson what light is without having experienced darkness? • Good/evil, male/female, up/down, etc. TranscendentalismLESS IS MORE

• Emphasized a “back to basics” attitude • Simplify your life ••LearnHenry to David love what Thoreau you already have ••WithRalph less Waldo “clutter” Emerson in your life, you have more time to truly enjoy it. • Things add stress to your life. Personal Choice 40% Genes 50%

External Factors 10% TRUE HAPPINESS ONLY COMESTranscendentalism FROM WITHIN

• Do not place your emotional well-being in the hands of anyone or anything else than yourself. YOU are the only reliable constant in your life. • • Henry David Thoreau Relationships end, things break, but YOU will never leave. • • Ralph Waldo Emerson • Be proud of who you are. • Learn to love yourself.