Transcendentalist Implements In The Modern World

In the wake of the Civil War, the importance of self-reliance and the expression of individuality became virulent through the opposition of the modern world. Marked with mass-producing factories, corrupt government and laws, and other radical institutions, the nineteenth century gave birth to a new age and a new belief that opposed these advancements, transcendentalism. Instead, this philosophical movement encourages the spiritual and intuitive outlook on the simple world. From the depths and issues of everyday society of about 200 years ago, this belief is still relevant in everyday life as the world continues to rapidly evolve socially, politically, and culturally. With this constant growth and change taking place, transcendentalist
tenets are just as valuable today as they were a few centuries ago since they promote living independently without the complications of modern developments.
With the approach of the twenty-first century, human beings are excessively depending more on technology and the government. Transcendentalists agree that “science does not know its debt to imagination”(Emerson 12/7/16). Emerson believed that the growth of science is interfering with human creativity especially with industrialization being rampant and factories and cities growing ubiquitously. Similarly, in the present day and age, technology has skyrocketed at an exponential speed and the ability to remember phone numbers and navigate to a friend’s house is simply achievable with the touch of a fingertip. Although daily life is becoming easier with technology, human beings are becoming less self-reliant and thinking less actively. In addition to technology, the government is also to take the blame for society’s lack of autonomy. Through the lenses of transcendentalists, “government is best which governs least”(Thoreau 12/6/16). In other words, the government is seen as dominating the people and giving them less freedom for their own actions. Even to this day, people are so dependent upon laws and regulations administered by the government that they can be cluelessly trapped in its ambitions and are more likely to be susceptible to its corruptive measures. Thus, self-reliance is highly encouraged in modern society so people can think for themselves and avoid the issues that can rise with being extremely controlled by these societal supplements. Implementing enhancements in modern society has also led to the erosion of the planet and the realization of preserving its natural wonders.
Over the years, the planet’s luscious greenery, vast bodies of ocean, and clear blue skies have declined at a steady rate with the overtake of industrial buildings and pollution from technology . For the explorers and hard-core transcendentalists who devote themselves to living on the healthy and undeveloped parts of the world, nature and “the life and simple beauty of it is too good to pass up.” (McCandless 12/7/16) If technological advancements continue to occupy most of Earth, this appreciative view of the planet will no longer be attractive to those whose lives depend and thrive upon its bare soil. To some Transcendentalist preachers, like Henry David Thoreau, nature is also perceived as “daily to be shown matter to come in contact with,” giving people a chance to ask “Who are we? Where are we?” (Thoreau 12/7/16). With these questions, Thoreau highlighted the importance of often being acquainted with nature, indicating that it provides a sense of self-identity. Today, many people go on walks, hikes, or go rock climbing to contemplate their lives or to associate themselves with their surroundings. However, with the planet’s transformation, how will it be possible for future generations to feel the same spiritual and physical connection? Just like transcendentalists, modern society is beginning to see the importance of nature’s
beauty and its connection with the human soul through the further destructions caused by unnecessary technological advancements.
In modern day, society is promoting the freedom of self-expression and self-evaluation through institutions such as school.
The fear that society will not condone differences is instilled in people’s minds from a young age. Though school becomes a place full of peer pressure which drives children to exhibit similar characteristics with one another, it teaches the value of individuality. High school is an ideal stage for teenagers “in the midst of the crowd” to “keep with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude”(Emerson 12/7/16). Highlighting transcendentalist attitudes, high school encourages individuals to be independent and freely express their true colors. In this way, transcendentalism is valuable to individuals who aspire to be who they want to be despite the attitudes and characteristics of the majority. Non-conformity also encourages a life of solitude and away from “the impending threat of human intimacy, of friendship, and all the messy emotional baggage that comes with it.” (McCandless 55) In other words, it is occasionally beneficial to have some time alone to deeply contemplate and develop individual insights of society and oneself. However, too much time alone and away from the crowd can cause a person to become unsocial and incapable of developing relationships with others. As a result, the importance of non-conformity parallels with the tenet of being independent and absent from the nonessential aspects of daily
living.
Through everyday life, transcendentalist tenets constantly remind the people of today’s civilization that advancements are detrimental to the autonomy of an individual and the purity of nature. Modern developments like government and technology force people to become excessively less self-reliant. In addition to causing the lack of independence among individuals, technology is also eating away the remaining areas of untouched nature. On the other hand, some institutions like school, allow individuals to realize and express who they truly are. Thus, it is significant to study transcendentalism and embrace its principles by decreasing the time spent on technology, relying less on the government, and by expressing one’s own creativity and individuality.