What is transcendalist?

Answer 1

Transcendentalism is a philosophical and literary movement that emerged in the early 19th century in America, emphasizing the inherent goodness of people and nature. It advocates for individual intuition and spirituality over established doctrine and materialism, positing that individuals can achieve a higher understanding of truth through personal experience and connection with the natural world. Key figures include Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau, who encouraged self-reliance and nonconformity. The movement also played a significant role in shaping American thought on social reform, ecology, and individual rights.