Transcendentalism: The Basis of Morality

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Recommended: Thesis on transcendentalism

Although not looked upon as a widely popular topic in the 21st century, transcendentalism has played a role in everyone's life. Action of the tenets and values of transcendentalist people vary. Religious traditions from each generation amplify the movement along with the social and political activity.
Transcendentalist believe in the natural man. One who is self-reliant, uncorrupted and one with nature. God is in everything but nothing in particular. "...that great nature in which we rest ... that Unity, that Over-Soul, within which every man's particular being is contained and made one with all other. . . . We live in succession, in division, in parts, in particles. Meantime within man is the soul of the whole; the wise silence; the universal beauty, to which every part and particle is equally related; the eternal ONE." (Emerson, "The Over-Soul"). Becoming unified with nature and God. To not let the wrong doings of people in society affect you and live as if you are good and just. Always being aware of what is going on around you. Being as in tune with God and nature, as if you were listening to two teenage girls gossip. "Among democratic nations each generation is a new people."(Alexis de Tocqueville). Transcendentalism has survived because of close relationships with those around you and the teachings of ancestors who may or may not have been extremists. As children grow to be adults they have a tendency to learn and use the teachings/concepts they were raised by, implementing them into their children's lives."The order of nature contains supreme principles, either divine or intrinsic, and we will be wise to learn about them and find the means to conform to them." (Rawls, "Theory of Justice"). Seek to gain a knowledge an...

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...nscendentalism has shown signs of growth in America and it appears to be agreeable for it to continue with society. Learning from the past; what has and hasn't worked. Americans cannot forget the monumental impacts transcendentalism has made and how it has changed society today.

Works Cited

Wilson, Edward O. "The Biological Basis of Morality." Atlantic Monthly. April 1998: 53+. SIRS Issues Researcher.Web. 15 Dec 2013.

Yanak, Ted, and Pam Cornelison. "Thoreau, Henry David." The Great American History Fact- Finder. Dec. 1 1993: n.p. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 15 Dec 2013.

Foner, Eric, and John A. Garraty. "Religion." The Reader's Companion to American History. Dec. 1 1991: n.p. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 15 Dec 2013.

Howe, Neil, and William Strauss. "The New Generation Gap." Atlantic Monthly. Dec. 1992: 67+. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 15 Dec 2013.

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