Transcendentalism (Noun)
Meaning
Any system of philosophy emphasizing the intuitive and spiritual above the empirical and material.
Classification
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents.
Examples
- The poet's work was heavily influenced by transcendentalism, which emphasized the importance of individual intuition and spirituality.
- Transcendentalism was a key component of the American Renaissance, shaping the country's literary and philosophical landscape.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson's essay "Nature" is considered a foundational text of transcendentalism, exploring the relationship between the individual and the natural world.
- The movement's focus on personal experience and spiritual growth resonated with many young people who felt disillusioned with mainstream culture and were seeking a more authentic way of life through transcendentalism.
- Henry David Thoreau's decision to live simply in a cabin near Walden Pond was a practical expression of the principles of transcendentalism, which he believed could bring people closer to nature and themselves.