American Transcendentalism: A History, and: The Transcendentalists (review (original) (raw)
This paper provides a review of Gura and Packer’s works on American Transcendentalism, exploring the origins, key principles, and lasting impact of the movement on American identity and culture. It emphasizes the philosophical shift from traditional religious dogma to a deeper, introspective spirituality that challenges materialism and consumer culture, while acknowledging the movement's ambiguous legacy and its influence on contemporary social justice activism. The review questions the completeness of the analysis, particularly regarding the American Revolution's role and the relationship between Transcendentalism and American evangelicalism.