This essay provides insight into two important social ideals in the 19th century - the american transcendentalism and, by comparison, the english romanticism. The fokus will hereby be on the former, while the latter will provide a source of delineating characteristics established through contrasting both against each other.
To fully enclose the concept of american transcendentalism, the essay will examine both the religious and philosophical as well as the literary and general cultural aspects of the movement.
Table of Contents
1.
American Transcendentalism as a Religious movement
American Transcendentalism as a Philosophical movement
American Transcendentalism as a Literary movement
American Transcendentalism as a Cultural movement
2.
§ Religion
§ The Source of Goodness
§ Writing Style
Objectives and Topics
This article aims to define American Transcendentalism through a multi-dimensional lens while contrasting its core tenets with English Romanticism to highlight both their overlapping philosophies and distinct conceptual differences.
- The religious, philosophical, literary, and cultural foundations of Transcendentalism.
- The shift from Calvinism to Unitarianism and the role of transcendental thought.
- The influence of Kantian idealism versus British empiricism on the movement.
- Comparative analysis between Transcendentalism and Romanticism regarding the divine and nature.
- The role of individual intuition and the "inner light" in human self-actualization.
Excerpt from the Book
American Transcendentalism as a Philosophical movement
Word of Kant’s transcendental idealism may have reached Emerson through Frederick Henry Hedge, a Unitarian minister who had studied in Germany and knew German philosophy in its native tongue. In 1836, Hedge, Emerson, and George Ripley founded an informal group called Hedge’s Club for the purpose of motivating discussion of current topics in philosophy and theology. The group continued irregularly for about seven years and grew to include at least a dozen members. It became known as the Transcendental Club. These meetings provided sufficient opportunity for Hedge to share his knowledge of Kant’s transcendental philosophy with Emerson. American Transcendentalists were very much fond of Kant’s philosophy.
Before going to discuss about Immanuel Kant, we have to know the philosophy of John Locke, a leading philosopher of British empiricism. Empiricism says that everything should be understood in terms of experience. We know something after we experience it. John Locke said that “Human mind is as black as white paper”. As humans start their journey from their infancy to their maturity, they gain experiences from their environment. Out of their experiences they realize, they understand and they have a sort of knowledge about the surrounding and the visible things. According to Locke the basis of knowledge is experience.
Now we can come to Immanuel Kant. Kant argues that human knowledge is not depended on experience rather it is depended on intuition or revelation. This very thought of Immanuel Kant is chosen by American Transcendentalists. They also believe that still God has capacity and power to communicate with humans as He had earlier. In this way American Transcendentalism is a philosophical movement.
Summary of Chapters
1.: This chapter introduces the definition of American Transcendentalism and examines its development across four distinct dimensions: religious, philosophical, literary, and cultural.
2.: This section provides a comparative analysis of the features of American Transcendentalism in relation to English Romanticism, focusing on their differing perspectives on religion, the source of goodness, and writing style.
Keywords
American Transcendentalism, English Romanticism, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Immanuel Kant, Unitarianism, Calvinism, Intuition, Divine, Nature, Philosophy, Literature, Individualism, Empiricism, Transcendental Club, Inner Light.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary subject of this article?
The article explores the origins, definitions, and core characteristics of American Transcendentalism and compares these features with English Romanticism.
What are the central thematic fields covered?
The text focuses on the religious, philosophical, literary, and cultural aspects of the movement, alongside a comparative analysis of theological and ethical standpoints.
What is the primary goal of the author?
The goal is to provide a comprehensive definition of Transcendentalism and to analyze its relationship with Romanticism by identifying both similarities and key differences.
Which scientific or analytical method is used?
The author employs a qualitative, comparative, and historical analysis, drawing upon theological history, philosophical idealism, and literary criticism.
What topics are discussed in the main body of the text?
The body covers the historical transition from Calvinism to Unitarianism, the influence of Kantian philosophy, the role of the writer as a "seer," and a side-by-side comparison with Romanticism.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include American Transcendentalism, Romanticism, Intuition, Individualism, Kantian idealism, and the religious evolution of the movement.
How does the author define the role of the "writer" in Transcendentalism?
The author explains that Transcendentalists, particularly Emerson, viewed writers as "seers" or "liberating gods" whose duty is to see the world clearly and call it to life.
What specific role did "Hedge’s Club" play in the movement?
It functioned as a catalyst for philosophical and theological discourse, providing Emerson and others with exposure to Kantian transcendental philosophy, which became central to the movement.
What is the fundamental disagreement between the author's portrayal of Transcendentalism and Romanticism regarding religion?
While Transcendentalism is described as primarily a religious movement focused on a personal, intuitive connection to God, Romanticism is portrayed as less concerned with religious dogma and more focused on personal ethics.
- Quote paper
- Nizam Uddin (Author), 2016, American Transcendentalism. Features of the Movement and Relation to English Romanticism, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/428498
