Two Examples Of Transcendentalism

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Transcendentalism is an idealistic philosophical and social movement that was developed by Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau. It taught that spirituality permeates all nature and humanity, and its members held progressive views on feminism and communal living. It taught people to view the objects in the world as small versions of the universe and to trust and follow their individual intuitions. Transcendentalists believe that society and its establishments, particularly organized religion and political parties; took away from the pureness of the individual. They have faith that people are at their best when truly "self-reliant" and independent. Emerson and Thoreau are two of the most influential people when it comes to transcendentalism.