Emerson's Definition of Transcendentalism
Read the following quote, and give an explanation of how this philosophy about transcendentalism appears in one of the three works that we read by Ralph Waldo Emerson. Make sure that you read the comments before yours, so as not to repeat any thoughts.
In the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson, in his 1842 lecture The Transcendentalist:
"The Transcendentalist adopts the whole connection of spiritual doctrine. He believes in miracle, in the perpetual openness of the human mind to new influx of light and power; he believes in inspiration, and in ecstasy. He wishes that the spiritual principle should be suffered to demonstrate itself to the end, in all possible applications to the state of man, without the admission of anything unspiritual; that is, anything positive, dogmatic, personal. Thus, the spiritual measure of inspiration is the depth of the thought, and never, who said it? And so he resists all attempts to palm other rules and measures on the spirit than its own....
Ralph Waldo EmersonThe Transcendentalist, 1842
posted by English11Scholarzone at 3/05/2006 08:05:00 PM
21 Comments:
I believe that what this qoute is saying is that your spirituality soes not depend on what you say but how deep your mind goes into it. It's about principals, and emotions, and sanctity. It's also about being in tune with your surroundings and one with nature.
1:23 PM
I think that the quote by Emerson basically further explains Transcendentalism. Emerson defines Transcendentalism as a connection between spirituality and the human mind. Emerson describes anything unspiritual as "anything positve, dogmatic, and personal." He goes on the say that measuring the spirituality of inspiration depends on how deeply you mind thinks.
3:05 PM
To me this quote meant that spirituality is one on the key factors of transendentalism. It does not just go based on the realities of what we think is logic but rather a much deeper aspect of it.
3:57 PM
I believe that this qoute states that spirituality has nothing to do with logic. Yours beliefs depend on how deep the thought is that you put into them. People use emotion and past experience to shape their beliefs in whatever their spiritual guidance is.
4:04 PM
I think this quote is about how spiritualityis a key part of life. it is also about how people should rely on their mind to guide them through their spirituality and not what others may say about it.
C.George
5:54 PM
To me this quote means that your spritual beliefs can determine what transcendentalism is to you.Also that the human mind can factor into the meaning of trancendentalism.
R.Comer
6:35 PM
I think that the quote is saying that transcendentalism is the bond between the spirit and the human mind. You need the mind to supply logic, but the spirit is key because it protects your inner-self. Your spirit is your emotions, depth, and thoughts. It will help you to determine your self worth and that will allow you to be self-reliant. Basing your mind on your spirit allows you to be great and true to yourself, if not to another.
9:06 PM
well, what emerson is saying is very interesting to me because in his story "nature" he kept praising the trees, sun, plants, and all of nature. he kept trying to explain how humanity and nature is connected somehow. but he described nature soooo vividly in all his works. showing all his emotion when it comes to nature and how spiritual he is when talking bout the one who made these things possible. he is a big inspiration to all who really wanna find out how deep the rabbit hole really goes sort of speak.
10:01 PM
To me Emersons quote was similar to his essay entitled Nature. Emerson described the different aspects of nature from a spiritual standpoint. As aposed to, logical thinking. In my opinion that sums up the definition of transendentalism. I think that transendentalism is thinking more than just logically.
11:42 PM
To me it seems like Emerson's quote refers to his essay of "Self Reliance". The reason I said that is because in his definition of transcendentalism he talks about your spiritural beliefs and in "Self Reliance" he is talking about making your own decisions based on your beliefs and don't let anybody change them for you. And he also goes on to say to not follow the crowd and just be your own person because you are fine just the way you are.
12:00 AM
i think this means that your spirituality does not really depend on logic, but your imagination, your heart and what you feel. it reminds me of that saying you dance to the beat of your drum. so why follow others when you could follow your own heart and your own mind and intuition.
8:40 AM
In my opinion, Emerson most relates to transcendalism in 'The Snowstorm'. I said this because in Snowstorm I believe that the town was an empty canvas before the storm hit it. The white snow made the town a masterpiece. This relates to how Emerson brillantly showed the comparison between nature and humanity. The snowstrom gave the people life. They weren't dead anymore as a blank canvas is, the people are a masterpiece.
9:39 AM
I believe that this quote was saying that you should rely and believe in your inner self. Let your spirituality guide you the right way.
10:13 AM
I have a clear understanding of the quote on Emerson about Transcendentalism. I believe that he focused his beliefs on the spiritual viewpoint of human minds. That although it focused on the mind physically and spiritually, it also formed a major part in the nature of human state.
11:37 AM
I believe this philosophy appears in Emerson's work "Nature". In this essay, it describes how the author feels united wiht nature, which influences his spiritual being. The author lets nature inspire his thought of feeling free and having no distractions.
11:47 AM
I believe that the quote is saying that you need to combine your spiritual aspest with the your physical aspest to come to a natural way to handel life. I think you have know youself inside and out to be true to yourself. Emerson definition of Transcen-dentlism tells you that.In his essasy "Self Relieance" he tells you how important it is to be yourself. In order to be youself you have to know what you stand for. Therefore you need to know youself physically and be in tune with your spiritually.
11:58 AM
I believe it means that the way you look at certain things is your spirituality.not what you know or think but it is what you feel that remakes your spirituality.
3:44 PM
I think this quote means that you should listen to yourself and get in touch with your spirituality.
3:29 PM
The work of Emerson that I think this philosophy most reflects is "Nature." In the story "Nature" he talks about how beautiful nature is and how free it makes him feel. The philosophy is all about you listening to your inner self and being yourself.
J.Ellison
9:25 AM
Is the drive which ignites our imagination
The spiritual force letting us explore ourselves
A conscious philosophical movement based on how in depth the mind reaches
Rather a tool to rise our status
It serves only a purpose to heal the thinkers and dreamers
An individual way of achieving clarity and discovery
We are restless animals, searching for inner peace.
12:14 PM
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-CeCtcype
12:35 AM
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