Thinking Activity - Transcendentalism

 Transcendentalism

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1.)  Transcendentalists talk about the Individual’s relation with Nature. What is Nature for you? Share your views.

Answer:

Transcendentalism was a philosophical and literary movement that emerged in the 19th century in the United States. Key figures in transcendentalism, such as Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau, emphasized the inherent goodness of people and nature, as well as the importance of individual intuition and connection with the natural world.

In the transcendentalist view, nature is not just the physical environment but also a reflection of the divine, a source of inspiration, and a means of connecting with the higher self. Nature serves as a teacher, providing valuable lessons about self-reliance, simplicity, and the interconnectedness of all living things. The individual is encouraged to seek truth and meaning through direct experience with nature, fostering a sense of unity with the universe.

For transcendentalists, the relationship between the individual and nature is deeply spiritual and encourages personal growth, self-discovery, and a recognition of one's place within the larger cosmos. This perspective has had a lasting impact on American literature, philosophy, and environmental thought.

2.)  Transcendentalism is an American Philosophy that influenced American Literature at length. Can you find any Indian/Regional literature or Philosophy that came up with such similar thoughts?

AAnswer:

Transcendentalism, An American Philosophy

TRANSCENDENTALISM is a very formal word that describes a very simple idea. People, men and women equally, have knowledge about themselves and the world around them that "transcends" or goes beyond what they can see, hear, taste, touch or feel.

This knowledge comes through intuition and imagination not through logic or the senses. People can trust themselves to be their own authority on what is right. A TRANSCENDENTALIST is a person who accepts these ideas not as religious beliefs but as a way of understanding life relationships.

The individuals most closely associated with this new way of thinking were connected loosely through a group known as THE TRANSCENDENTAL CLUB, which met in the Boston home of GEORGE RIPLEY. Their chief publication was a periodical called The Dial, edited by Margaret Fuller, a political radical and feminist whose book Women in the Nineteenth Century was among the most famous of its time. The club had many extraordinary thinkers, but accorded the leadership position to RALPH WALDO EMERSON.

Emerson was a Harvard-educated essayist and lecturer and is recognized as our first truly "American" thinker. In his most famous essay, "THE AMERICAN SCHOLAR," he urged Americans to stop looking to Europe for inspiration and imitation and be themselves. He believed that people were naturally good and that everyone's potential was limitless. He inspired his colleagues to look into themselves, into nature, into art, and through work for answers to life's most perplexing questions. His intellectual contributions to the philosophy of transcendentalism inspired a uniquely American idealism and spirit of reform.

Bhakti poets, such as Kabir and Mirabai, expressed a deep connection with the divine and often critiqued ritualistic practices in favor of a more direct, personal experience of spirituality.

While these philosophies and literary traditions are not direct counterparts to transcendentalism, they do share some common themes, such as the pursuit of personal spirituality, the interconnectedness of all things, and the idea of a higher, transcendent reality. It's important to appreciate the unique cultural and historical contexts that shaped each of these philosophical traditions.

3.)Write in short about your understanding of the following essays according to the topics given:

Answer:

"Self-Reliance" by Ralph Waldo Emerson:

Emerson's essay "Self-Reliance" encourages individuals to trust their own instincts and intuition rather than conforming to societal expectations. He argues that true greatness comes from self-reliance and individuality. Emerson emphasizes the importance of nonconformity, stating that society often hinders the expression of individual genius. He advocates for the rejection of conventional wisdom and the cultivation of one's unique vision and ideas. "Self-Reliance" is a call to authenticity and independence, urging individuals to rely on their inner selves and pursue their own paths rather than conforming to external influences.

Referance:

Thoreau, Henry David. “Transcendentalism, An American Philosophy [ushistory.org].” USHistory.org, https://www.ushistory.org/us/26f.asp. Accessed 21 January 2024.

Thoreau, Henry David. “Transcendentalism - An Intellectual Movement.” Vaidehi Hariyani, 9 May 2021, https://vaidehi09.blogspot.com/2021/05/transcendentalism-philosophy.html. Accessed 21 January 2024.

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