Over the last two classes, we've been discussing whether the transcendentalist movement was just one big glorious failure. I think we all came to a general consensus that the movement's lofty idealism is what made it unsuccessful. However, does this mean that transcendentalism has failed to make an impact on society?
The movement at its most extreme certainly seems to be highly unrealistic. By just looking at Thoreau's Walden experiment, we see that pure individualism and independence are unobtainable (apparently, Thoreau's mother brought him food and did his laundry over the course of his stay at Walden Pond). Furthermore, Thoreau himself admitted that his attempt at being self-sufficient was a failure. However, does this mean that transcendentalism can be rejected as a valid philosophy? Or does the movement still have merits despite its huge flaws?
-Bryce C.
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Is any philosophy without its flaws? I think trascendentalism isn't practical, but that doesn't mean it's not important. Its ideas are comforting but also thought-provoking. It makes us think about the course of our lives and about what we truly want in life.
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