Henry David Thoreau Essay

When Nature has work to be done, she creates a genius to do it. This is a repeat from one of the most famous transcendentalists, Ralph Waldo Emerson. Transcendentalism was a movement in the 19th century. It was a religious and philosophical movement the foc habituate on self-direction and the nature around us. Some of the main philosophers in the movement were Ralph Waldo Emerson who is known for his book Nature, hydrogen David Thoreau with his book Walden, and also Margaret brimming who wrote Women in the Nineteenth Century.Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson are the most influential philosophers from transcendentalism, many of their ideas are still used in modern day transcendentalism. Transcendentalism started in New England during the first half(prenominal) of the 19th century. It started as a religious movement but later became an entire philosophy. Transcendentalists apposed the Calvinist idea of predestination. They also believed in the unity rather than the te ther of God. Transcendentalism ideals are composed of Hindu texts, and various religions. It became a major cultural movement with Ralph Waldo Emersons publishing of Nature in 1836.A socio-economic class later he wrote his speech The American Scholar which closed by calling for a revolution of the human consciousness to form a modern idealist philosophy. By the 1840s Emerson believed the movement was dying out, until a second wave of scholars came, which included Henry David Thoreau. Henry David Thoreau was the most influential philosopher to come from transcendentalism his philosophies are still used today. He was an abolitionist. He was part of the Underground Railroad. He is often described as an anarchist because of his belief in individualism, and establishment should be limited.Thoreau believed non-violent protests were more effective than riots this was the thought behind civil disobedience. This idea has been used by multiple political leaders leaders such(prenominal) as Mahatma Gandhi in India, Leo Tolstoy in Russia, and also Martin Luther King in the United States. This is why Thoreau is considered one of the most influential thinkers out of the Transcendentalism Movement. His fame spread by the writing of his book Walden, this was his idea of simple living in harmony with nature. Some of his ideas are used by modern day environmentalists.Many of Thoreaus ideas are still used today, which further proves that he is one of the most influential transcendentalists. Although transcendentalism is a movement from the 1800s, many of the ideas from it are still used today proving it is still alive and thriving. Thoreaus ideas of Civil Disobedience have been used to change the world. Many people throughout the world also use his ideas for environmentalism that were published in his book Walden from 1854. Some people may ask, Wheres Waldo? Ralph Waldo Emerson influenced nearly every transcendentalist thinker.Many of his ideas are still used today such as hi s idea of self-reliance, and his contributions to mysticism. Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau have contributed a lot to transcendentalism, which still thrives today. Although these two thinkers are the most influential there were many other philosophers that contributed to transcendentalism. Margaret Fuller wrote the book Women in the Nineteenth Century which was very important to the way women were viewed at the time. Transcendentalism is still thriving today, and it will for a long time.