What is a transcendentalist?

A person who believes in Transcendentalism:

"A literary and philosophical movement, associated with Ralph Waldo Emerson and Margaret Fuller, asserting the existence of an ideal spiritual reality that transcends the empirical and scientific and is knowable through intuition."
from http://www.answers.com/transcendentalism

A transcendentalist is a person who follows the philosophy of transcendentalism, a movement that emerged in the mid-19th century in America. Transcendentalism emphasized the divinity of nature, self-reliance, individuality, and the search for self-realization and spiritual truth.

To understand more about transcendentalism, you can follow these steps to conduct further research:

1. Start with a general search: Begin by searching for "transcendentalism" on a search engine like Google. This will provide you with an overview of the movement and its key principles.

2. Read literature by prominent transcendentalist thinkers: To delve deeper into transcendentalist ideas, it would be beneficial to read works by scholars and authors who played a significant role in the movement. The most well-known transcendentalists include Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, and Margaret Fuller. Works such as Emerson's essay "Nature" and Thoreau's book "Walden" are excellent starting points.

3. Analyze primary sources: Transcendentalism was a literary and philosophical movement, so reading primary sources written by transcendentalist thinkers is crucial to understanding their ideas. Primary sources can include essays, books, letters, and speeches by these individuals.

4. Consult secondary sources: To gain a broader perspective and insight into the historical context and impact of transcendentalism, consult academic articles, books, and scholarly sources. These secondary sources provide analysis and interpretation of transcendentalist ideas, placing them within a broader intellectual and cultural context.

5. Explore related movements and influences: Transcendentalism was influenced by various philosophical and religious ideas, such as Romanticism, Unitarianism, and Eastern philosophies like Hinduism and Buddhism. Exploring these related movements and their connections to transcendentalism can enrich your understanding.

By following these steps and engaging in thorough research, you can gain a comprehensive understanding of what transcendentalism is and its significance in American intellectual history.