I've been doing some reading about transcendentalism. I've had a passing interest in this uniquely American pseudo-philosophy, having read Walden and Walking several times over.
The Transcendental movement attempted to bridge the many divides existing in 19th-century America between the Christian church, societal norms, ever-advancing scientific discoveries, and man's role in nature.
The leading proponents of transcendentalism in the 19th century were Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau.
1. Non-conformity.
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Transcendentalists believe that society holds the power to corrupt individuals, and therefore it is incumbent on man to practice civil disobedience. Thoreau, in fact, wrote a famous essay titled "Civil Disobedience."
