Transcendentalist movement

Definition

The Transcendentalist movement was a philosophical and literary movement in the mid-19th century that emphasized individualism, self-reliance, and the belief that individuals could transcend the limits of their senses to find truth through intuition.

Related terms

Ralph Waldo Emerson: An influential figure in the Transcendentalist movement who wrote essays encouraging people to trust their own instincts and live authentically.

Henry David Thoreau: A prominent Transcendentalist writer known for his book "Walden," which chronicles his experience living alone in nature as a way to seek spiritual truths.

Self-reliance: A key concept of the Transcendentalist movement that encourages individuals to rely on their own abilities and intuition rather than conforming to societal expectations.