Transcendentalism - R.W. Emerson

Understanding the Fundamentals of American Literature: Transcendentalism According to R. W. Emerson & H. D. Thoreau

There is something in the nature of human beings that transcends human experience; it moves beyond the physical. Transcendentalism is the belief that there is an intuitive and personal revelation that goes beyond what we can experience with our physical selves.

* Remember: to transcend means to rise above; to surmount; to pass over/surpass; extend and to go beyond; to go further than the limits. The original definition of “transcendence” comes from theology: the term is used primarily in reference to God’s relation to the world; God is completely outside and beyond the world. Essentially, God is manifested in the world. Emmanuel Kant further expands on the theories of “transcendence” in modern philosophy by explaining that it is the concept that is concerned with the possibility of self-knowledge.

Dualism is the system of philosophy which refers all things that exist to two ultimate principles. Basically, it is the doctrine that indicates reality consisting of two basic opposing elements. Dualism is the view of man as constituted of two original and independent elements.

Dualism refers to:
1. The moral or spiritual belief that two fundamental concepts exist, which often oppose each other.
2. Dualistic cosmology is the religious belief that the universe is created or governed by two, often opposing deities or spiritual forces.
3. Dualism (philosophy of mind) is a set of views about the relationship between mind and matter, which begins with the claim that mental phenomena are, in some respects, non-physical.

Transcendentalism is the experience beyond nature that is somehow connected to nature. It is a philosophy not a religion; however, religious philosophies did help build the basic foundation of fundamental views. It is the concept of being the center of the universe and possibly not even existing at all. This is the duality between existing and not existing (or being present). As a non-existent observer, is the self God?

What is nature in terms of usefulness?
1. It is to have greater depths of contemplation.
2. The language: the sounds of words and the natural facts.
3. Nature is a discipline, harmony, order; nature mirrors ethics and values.

Nature as an ideal:
1. Beyond the senses and reason.
2. Beyond religion.
3. Nature confronts man; man must become whole.

The role of the poet:
According to Emerson, the poet is the creator of new words. In other words, the poet is: (a) the explainer of nature; and, (b) the interpreter of nature.

“The poet is the person in whom these powers are in balance, the man without impediment, who sees and handles that which others dream of, traverses the whole scale of experience, and is representative of man, in virtue of being the largest power to receive and to impart.”

[DISCLAIMER] The condensed notes provided above have been written and constructed by Christine. This blog reflects contents and opinions that are my own, and have not been influenced by any other sources. These notes are used for the classroom and other academic environments, and have been designed to help students and others for a better understanding of literary concepts. As with any concepts and theories, ideas can be expanded–readers/viewers should use the above content at their own discretion. Give credit where it’s due; plagiarizing content is illegal.
 



This entry was posted in Literature/Fiction/Non-Fiction/Poetry and tagged american literature, class notes, concepts, education, emerson, english, henry david thoreau, literature, notes, poetry, ralph waldo emerson, reading, thoreau, transcendentalism, transcendentalists, writing.