English 3349F/G Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Transcendentalism, Scientific Method, Leo Marx
Document Summary
Emerson is never used in philosophy, not considered a philosopher now. Group of us-based literary figures and philosophers sharing. Belief in religious reform and interest in spirituality, especially with connection to natural world. Drive for social reform and experimental communication. Wanted to appreciate value of spirituality as an individual pursuit. No separation of church and state system was based on ideas about human life based on calvinist philosophy. Calvinism believed that god"s grace could save you, humans were inherently corrupt, actions did nothing. Resistance to questioning authority head of religious movement were also doubling as governors/political figures. Transcendentalism stressed importance of human striving correct behaviour, Idea of democracy became very popular during this time. Transcendentalists felt that throwing spirituality away was a mistake made it more compatible with enlightenment thought. Emerson took lines from his own journal and slotted them together to make them into an essay.