American Transcendentalism

American Transcendentalism was a 19th-century philosophical movement that emphasized the importance of individual intuition and spiritual experience over established doctrine and materialism. It emerged primarily in New England, influenced by romanticism and Eastern philosophies. Key figures like Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau advocated for self-reliance, nature's significance, and the interconnectedness of all life. Transcendentalists believed that individuals could transcend the physical world through personal insight and that social reform could arise from a deeper understanding of humanity and nature. Their ideas promoted creativity, social justice, and a deeper connection to the natural environment.