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Individualism Vs Transcendentalism

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Transcendentalists believe in nature, individualism, nonconformity, and a simple way of life. Their beliefs state that a person should only rely on what is necessary to life, and each person should be their own person, meaning that each person cannot fall into the conformity of society. Could it be possible that today 's overindulgent society needs to go back to the beliefs of Transcendentalism? Transcendentalists preach that each person should do what they believe is right, or what their conscience believes is right. Thoreau asks, “Can there not be a government in which majorities do not virtually decide right and wrong, but conscience?—in which majorities decide only those questions to which the rule of expediency is applicable?” (566). The government laws are not always fair. Thoreau questions whether we should follow the unjust laws and fall into the
Ally 2 conformity of society, or follow what our conscience tells us is right. The Transcendentalist value of nonconformity is displayed by questioning the logic of the government. Religion …show more content…

They do not have what they don 't not need. Thoreau explains, “I did not for a moment feel confined, and the walls seemed a great waste of stone and mortar. ”(571). The man was locked in a jail cell, but the only thing he could this about is how the walls were just a waste of stone and mortar. The simple way of Transcendentalism is shown by how he is critiquing the walls for being a waste. Peace is part of the foundation of Transcendentalism. Transcendentalists do not believe that any conflict should be resolved with violence. Gandhi expresses the idea of peace when he says, “No country has ever become, or will ever become, happy through victory in war. A nation does not rise that way, it only falls further.” (577). He is explaining that Transcendentalist trusts in the fact that peace can solve all conflicts, and war is never the answer.

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