Transcendentalism is an idea that encompasses various components. The main point of this idea is to have people be more self-reliant, just like the essay we read in class. Transcendentalism assumes the best in people and nature, but believes organized religious and political parties are to blame for the faults in the purity of life. This idea a goodness being in everyone is an idea with which I definitely agree. Everyone has skills to offer to this world; it just takes time to find these skills sometimes. The scorn for organized religious activity is an area in which I don't necessarily agree. Although many believe religious activity can restrict the actions of people, I believe it can inspire them just as much to achieve the greatest heights of their dreams. Although part of a group, people should learn to be self-sufficient, and not reliant on others. This idea of self-reliance is another key to Transcendentalism. The idea behind this is that the best societies stem from people who think independently and express their own ideas and beliefs. Democratic ideals develop from this platform, because it promotes the individual, just as democracy does. Our democracy today is very reliant on political parties, just as transcendentalists feared would continue. I definitely agree with the rationale behind not having opposing political parties, but it has become so pivotal to our modern day society that we couldn't just flip a switch and change it now. While the ideas of transcendentalists about political parties were ideal, it just would not work in today's society.
Transcendentalism represents a sort of philosophical revolution of the time. The ideas behind it represented progress, some of which we still find in the modern day. Although I don't fully support all of the ideas in this movement, I feel the new main ideas brought about definitely moved society forward. This idea of self-reliance and thinking on one's own can definitely be said to have influenced those in women's rights and the Civil Rights Movement. These people thought for themselves, and the result ultimately changed the course of history, just as Transcendentalism did.
