New England Transcendentalism

New England Transcendentalism was a 19th-century philosophical and literary movement that emphasized the inherent goodness of people and nature. It promoted the idea that individuals could seek spiritual truth through intuition and personal experience, rather than relying solely on tradition or religious authority. Thinkers like Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau encouraged self-reliance, creativity, and a deep connection with the natural world as paths to personal and moral growth. This movement influenced American culture by fostering a belief in individual potential and the importance of harmony between humans and nature.