Transcendentalism vs. Anti-transcendentalism

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Transcendentalism vs. Anti-transcendentalism
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Trans. vs. Anti-Transcendentalism

• Optimistic belief in perfectibility of man
• God, nature and humanity spiritually united
  through a shared universal soul
• Divinity of individual
• Engaged in projects to make ideal reality
• Focus on human spirit
• Interest in natural work and relationship to
  humanity
• Fundamental truths of being and universe lie
  outside reach of senses and can be grasped
  through intuition
• Way to God goes through contemplations that leads
  to perception of infinite

• Rejected optimistic outlook on humanity and life.
• Declared optimism naïve and unrealistic
• Reflects a more pessimistic attitude and focus on
  mans uncertainty and limited potential in the
  universe
• View nature as vast and incomprehensible, a
  reflection of the struggle between good and evil.
• Felt humans were depraved and had to struggle for
  goodness.