The Transcendentalist

Summary

Brought to you by Altrusian Grace Media and narrated by Matthew Schmitz. "The Transcendentalist" is an essay by Ralph Waldo Emerson that was first published in 1841. In this work, Emerson defines and reflects on the Transcendentalist movement, a philosophical and literary movement that was influential in the United States in the 19th century. Transcendentalism emphasized the importance of individualism, intuition, and a direct connection to the divine, and rejected the materialism and conformity of contemporary society. In "The Transcendentalist," Emerson argues that Transcendentalists are people who seek to transcend the limitations of the physical world and find truth and meaning through spiritual and philosophical pursuits. He also notes that Transcendentalists embrace the power of the individual and reject the notion that authority should come from institutions or tradition. "The Transcendentalist" is considered a seminal work in American literature and is widely regarded as one of Emerson's most important works. The essay continues to be widely read and studied today as a classic expression of Transcendentalist thought and philosophy.