Early American Transcendentalism - 1204 Words

Early American transcendentalism has one of the greatest influences towards American society because it is not only a philosophy, but also a religion and physical progression. During the early nineteenth century, Ralph Emerson, Henry Thoreau, and other radical individuals challenged the present day theories of values, ethics, and what it means to live life to the fullest (Timko). If early American transcendentalists were living among civilians today, would present day civilians think the earlier activists were radical and psychotic? During this time, Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, â€Å"There are always two parties, the party of the Past and the party of the Future† (Timko). Early radical, transcendental activists believe that their approach of†¦show more content†¦It was documented that Walden, in its first year of distribution, sold more than 1,744 copies to the surrounding people (â€Å"The Seer of Walden†). In 1849, Henry Thoreau heavily influenced early transc endentalism again with his collection of social actions archived in Civil Disobedience. During this collection, Thoreau uses Jeffersons famous statement, That government is best which governs least, and completes his thoughts with one of his boldest statements, That government is best which governs not at all (Holmes). Although Civil Disobedience is one of the most radical, Thoreau, advocated his main idea of â€Å"simplify one’s living† the most. Though many readers believed that Henry Thoreau despised American government, however this is extremely inaccurate. He longed for America’s government to focus less on material things and become less corrupt and in return, focus more about centering ourselves on God and democracy. Civil Disobedience is such an influence in nineteenth century America that it later advocated Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi’s social reforms. Thoreau’s avocation for anti-slavery, which was found in some of his earl y works, also partially inspired Martin Luther King, Jr. in his journey for equal human rights for African Americans later in America. To conclude, transcendentalism, during earlyShow MoreRelatedTranscendentalism, An American Philosophy1640 Words   |  7 PagesAmerican philosophers during the early to mid-1800s embraced a new liberal movement known as transcendentalism that posed a silent threat to the current social and political institutions of the time period. Henry David Thoreau acted as the father of this new philosophy that would go on to transform the social structure of America into what it is and is still becoming today. Transcendentalism is an American philosophy that humankind has an innate sense of being and knowledge of the world aroundRead MoreTranscendentalism Essay617 Words   |  3 Pagesï » ¿Transcendentalism is a movement that started in New England in the early to mid nineteenth century. 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