Transcendentalism is a formidable term describing the movement in American Culture that energized much of the literature of the nineteenth century. To "transcend" something is to rise above it, to pass beyond its limits. In other words, the spiritual life is more important that the material life. Characteristics of transcendentalism are some of the following: the most fundamental truths about life and death can be reached only by going beyond the senses and using deep, free intuition. Nature is divine, alive with spirit and truth, and man should live in harmony to communicate with nature. Great emphasis is placed on the individual to understand the truth thorough his own, individual intuition. Transcendentalists possess moral enthusiasm to reject material success and to ideally reform society, and believe very strongly in the individuals rights. In short, transcendentalism emphasizes spiritual living (but not conventional organized religions), living close to nature, intuition, and individualism.
             I believe that all great minds in this world were transcendentalists. I agree with the statement, "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and Devin's. With consistency a great soul has simply nothing to do."
             What Emerson means is that an inability to change or progress is the imaginary goblin that frightens small children. Notice that Emerson does not condemn all consistency but only "foolish ", or mindless, consistency.(256)
             Examples of such "foolishness" or mindless consistency are some types of tradition, being stubborn, and non-willingness to accept new culture and changes.
             There are many types of tradition in the world today. Different countries or religions have different traditions; there are even different traditions within the same country or religion. Every person has different morals in life, and every person has a di...