Transcendentalism Vs Taoism Essay

Tunmise Alarape

Mr. David

Honors English IV

30 March 2023

Transcendentalism vs. Taoism For centuries now, philosophies have influenced the way societies interacted with each other and navigated the world around them. Following and understanding a specific philosophy is often said to lead one on the path to enlightenment. These patterns of thinking have worked to try and answer some of life’s most demanding questions, as they employ the power of the mind to make sense of reality. Two philosophies that seek to influence the way humans traverse life are Transcendentalism, an idealistic philosophy started in the 19th century New England, and Taoism, a religious philosophy originating in Ancient China. The former came as a split from the ideas

Taoism had a more profound impact on science, while Transcendentalism greatly influenced social progressivism. Taoism’s accentuation of nature influenced the creation of certain Chinese medicines, and the philosophy’s experiments for immortality influenced other medicines and western chemistry (Chinese Religions and Philosophies). A Transcendentalist and Taoist would disagree on the steps to take when dealing with unjust authority. Taoism embraces the virtues of patience and non-action (Gehrmann). Transcendentalists believe that people should stand up against injustices for the greater good. Specifically, they impacted society by advocating for “...women’s rights, abolition, reform, and education,” while “[criticizing] government, organized religion, laws, social institutions, and creeping industrialization,’ (Transcendentalism, An American Philosophy). In this regard, a Taoist would most likely not involve themselves with political or social debates, arguing that it goes against the flow of nature. A Transcendentalist would wholeheartedly engage in the debate, however, if they felt it went against standards of equality or felt unjust. Transcendentalists often advocated for violence or blunt protests in order to advocate for their beliefs. Therefore, the legacies of these philosophies differ

I believe it is the philosophy of the people. As someone who feels strongly about social justice, this philosophy aligns greatly with my beliefs. Its tenets preach virtues that are imperative to social progression. Taoism does not embrace the idea of social activism as much as I would like it to. For example, the tenet in Transcendentalism that stands out to me the most is equality. Like Transcendentalists, I believe that everyone was created equal, and therefore has equal rights. No one should be discriminated against on the basis of their race, gender, or class. I also greatly agree with the Transcendentalist tenet of individualism. I believe that self-reliance is an important part of any individual who wishes to thrive and sustain themselves in the modern world. Individuality is what makes people unique, and it is what makes humanity beautiful. Social norms exist to stifle this idea, and therefore they should be ignored. People should not try to fit into boxes, but rather define their personalities on their own. Furthermore, the part of Transcendentalism that I would feel most compelled to ignore is the emphasis on a deep connection with nature. While I respect nature and its beauty, I do enjoy the conveniences of modern society like my phone, laptop, and television. I think Henry David Thoreau is a strong-willed, committed Transcendentalist for his experiment at Walden Pond, but I could never