Transcendentalism - By: Marcelo Aguirre

Transcendentalism🕮

Transcendentalism is an American literary, philosophical, religious, and political movement of the early nineteenth century, centered around Ralph Waldo Emerson."

What we now know as transcendentalism first arose among the liberal New England Congregationalists, who departed from orthodox Calvinism in two respects: they believed in the importance and efficacy of human striving, as opposed to the bleaker Puritan picture of complete and inescapable human depravity; and they emphasized the unity rather than the “Trinity” of God (hence the term “Unitarian,” originally a term of abuse that they came to adopt.) 

The transcendentalists operated from the start with the sense that the society around them was seriously deficient: a “mass” of “bugs or spawn” as Emerson put it in “The American Scholar”; slavedrivers of themselves, as Thoreau says in Walden. Thus the attraction of alternative life-styles: Alcott’s ill-fated Fruitlands; Brook Farm, planned and organized by the Transcendental Club; Thoreau’s cabin at Walden. As the nineteenth century came to its mid-point, the transcendentalists’ dissatisfaction with their society became focused on policies and actions of the United States government: the treatment of the Native Americans, the war with Mexico, and, above all, the continuing and expanding practice of slavery.

A personal or critical analysis

Transcendentalism strikes me as a deeply idealistic, philosophy that seeks to restore the individual’s inner power and direct connection to nature and the divine. In a world increasingly controlled by technology, social pressure, and external validation, this movement still offers a powerful message: slow down, look inward, and remember that truth doesn’t always come from outside — it often comes from within.
One of the most powerful aspects of Transcendentalism is its call for authenticity. Instead of blindly following societal norms or institutions, it encourages us to be true to ourselves, even if that means going against the crowd. However, this idea can be difficult to apply in situations where cooperation and shared rules are necessary for social stability and collective well-being.

Connection Between Transcendentalism and the Modern World

Many people today are turning to mindfulness, meditation, and nature retreats — practices that echo transcendentalist ideals — to escape stress and reconnect with themselves. The idea of finding peace and meaning in nature, as Thoreau did in Walden, has inspired modern movements like minimalism, environmentalism, and slow living.
Furthermore, the emphasis on nonconformity aligns with current conversations around identity, self-expression, and questioning societal norms. In a world that often demands people to fit into rigid roles, Transcendenta
lism encourages individuals to break free and follow their unique path.

References

• HISTORY, August 21, 2018.
• The American Transcendentalists: Essential Writings, New York: Modern Library, 2006
• Transcendentalism and the Cultivation of the Soul. Andrews, Barry Maxwell, 2017.