Transcendentalism is a philosophy that basic truths can be reached through intuition rather than reason. We must "go beyond" or "transcend" what reason and sense tell us. (It is a subset of Romanticism.)
Tenets of Transcendentalism:
 | It is important to nourish the human spirit. |
| Man possesses a certain divinity. |
| Be optimistic about man and his potential. |
| Appreciate the beauty of nature. |
Major writers of this period:
| Chief proponents:
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| Opponents:
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