Differentiate
Transcendentalism
and Existentialism
Nemie Anne B. Mateo
Master in Public Administration
A.Y 2022-2023 1st Semester
Transcendentalism
Origin Transcendentalism
A philosophical movement that developed in the
late 1820s and 1830s in New England.
It started to develop after Unitarianism took hold at
Harvard University.
Ralph Waldo Emerson Henry David Thoreau
Key
KeyFigures
Figures
“Transcendental Club”
Transcendental Club
Margaret Fuller
What is Transcendentalism?
A philosophical movement believe in the essential
unity of all creation, the innate goodness of
humanity, and the supremacy of insight over logic
and experience for the revelation of the deepest
truths.
Basic Beliefs of Transcendenatlism
Everything in world, including people,
is a reflection of God or the Divine
Soul.
Person Authority– not the society, the
church or government
People can use intuition to see God in
nature and in their own soul.
Humans are inherently good but can
be corrupted by society and
institution.
Basic Beliefs of Transcendenatlism
Government
Churches
Society
Basic Beliefs of Transcendenatlism
GOD
Inside every person head is GOD!
God is everywhere and in everything!!!
In other words, transcendentalists
believe spirituality isn’t something
you can explain; it’s something you
feel.
Basic Beliefs of Transcendenatlism
Since God is within us, every person
“intuition”, an essential understanding of
right and wrong.
We don’t need to learn morality from so
called holy books, laws or society
1. Individualism
Essential 2. Self Reliance
Values 3. Importance of Nature
1. Individualism
Essential
Values
Individualism / Non Conformity
Individualism is the idea of thinking for oneself
without the rules set by society.
Individualism / Non Conformity
Individualism / Non Conformity
Bon Jovi;s song is an example of transcendentalist live their lives.
Based on the title and lyrics - “It’s My Life,”
“It’s now or never” “I did it my way,”
Transcendentalist believes that we should do things the way we want to do
things and not what other people tell us to do.
Individualism inspires free thought and actions based on a persons own
values, not the values of others
Essential 2. Self Reliance
Values
Self Reliance & Idealism
Idealism
Human beings are naturally good at their core.
Again, it is society that corrupts us.
Self Reliance
The idea that one can rely on his or her own
judgment, choices, and be free from these societal
influences is to be self-reliant.
According to Emerson, it's better to trust yourself.
In some cases, if not most or all cases, to trust
yourself over and above what others believe.
Intuition
Since God is within us, every person
"intuition," an essential
understanding of right and wrong
(morality).
We don’t need to learn morality from
so-called holy books, laws, or
society.
Connection to Nature
Connection to Nature
Connection to Nature
The conservation of an undisturbed natural world
is also extremely important to the
Transcendentalists.
Transcendentalists were lovers of nature, and did
not think it was something that could be controlled
by anyone. Instead, they believed that the only
thing people can control is what is in their own
minds
Connection to Nature
Transcendentalists have a deep gratitude and appreciation for nature,
not only for aesthetic purposes, but also as a tool to observe and
understand the structured inner workings of the natural world
Thoreau and Emerson emphasized on the transcendentalist idea of
human harmony with nature. They believed that nature can help us
improve spiritually and help us connect to the rest of the world.
According to Transcendental ideas, everything is connected,
everything is one.
Existentialism
Key
KeyFigures
Figures
Transcendental Club
Existentialism
Existentialism is the philosophical
belief we are each responsible for
creating purpose or meaning in our
own lives.
Beliefs of Existentialist
Human create their own value
through choice.
Their values help them create a
meaning of life
Humans have freedom, but with that
freedom comes the responsibility
Beliefs of Existentialist
We have no one to blame for our choices but
ourselves.
Main Themes of Existentialism
Freedom – you are free to be the person that
you choose
Existence is absurd – this means we exist in
meaningless world
Truth is subjective – this means what is true for
one person might not be true for another.
Philisophy Beliefs
Differentiate
Transcendentalism
& Existentialism
Core Values Believe in God
Difference between Transcendentalism and Existentialism
Transcendentalism Existentialism
Philosopy Human are inherently good existence precede essence
Existense Divine Spirit or God They Believe in God Choice to belive or not to believe
Core Values Self Reliance Freedom
Focus Focus on Intuition and Feelings Focuses on individual Free will
Difference between Transcendentalism and Existentialism
Transcendentalism Existentialism
philosophy states that people should
philosophy that gives priority to make rational decisions based on their
Philosophy
reason as the key to own experiences rather than relying
understanding reality on external authorities.
Divided in to two groups: Atheistic
existentialists - rejecting the existence
of a deity or adherence to religious
believe in the existence of a
Believe in God rules.
divine spirit
Theistic Existentialist - believe in the
existense of God and adheres to
religious beliefs.
It centers around the belief that
spirituality cannot be achieved emphasizes the uniqueness of each
Basic Premise through reason and rationalism, human existence in freely choosing
but instead through self-reflection itself.
and intuition
freethinking, self reliance and
Core Values action, freedom, and decision
non conformity
Humans are inherently good but
Main Principle can be corrupted by society and Existence before Essence
institutions
Importance of intuition and focuses on the individual’s free will
Tenent feeling over reason and sense when it comes to making decisions
experience about one’s life
THANK YOU!
