The Pros And Cons Of Transcendentalism

A life of simplicitic values and self-awareness is crucial in reaching an internal meditative state. Transcendentalism was a spreading movement based upon values of self-enlightenment through reaching a state of living on basic necessities. These beliefs integrated that humankind, nature, and God were somehow all interconnected, but the link was out of reach to the participant of normal society. Likewise, they believes that one should extend the limitations that a normal way of life builds, to experience something greater. This pursuit of passion integrated a way of living independent from an outer society. These set of beliefs were based upon the internal need to find one’s identity through free will. The challenge of withdrawing from a life
Emerson expressed his concerns for society’s conformity with one image. “When a man strays from the limitations set for him, the consequences are not pleasurable. Therefore, one who dares to be a nonconformist must be able to know the punishment of his adverse actions” (Emerson, 31-32). This thought expressed Emerson’s desire to break social norms and seclude from the draws of society. Likewise, Christopher McCandless escaped from the conformity of society and withdrew into nature. His decision to break away from the chaotic life of integrating members of a congregation. The people who lacked knowledge of the belief sought him to act illogically, “And although he wasn't burdened with a surfeit of common sense and possessed a streak of stubborn idealism that did not readily mesh with the realities of modern life, he was no psychopath” (Krakauer). Both men sought to escape society’s expectation; one mentally and one physically. The sense of a higher living grew inside the souls of each men, which inspired them to discover a being of enlightenment, rather than to live a chaotic life of materials and monotonous