Final answer:
Transcendentalism was a philosophical and literary movement that emphasized individualism, intuition, and the belief in reaching a higher spiritual and intellectual truth. Transcendentalists valued nature as a source of inspiration and advocated for self-reliance and authenticity. Key figures in this movement were Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau.
Step-by-step explanation:
Transcendentalism was a philosophical and literary movement that emerged in the 19th century in the United States. It emphasized individualism, intuition, and the belief that individuals can transcend the limits of reason and experience to reach a higher spiritual and intellectual truth.
Transcendentalists believed in the inherent goodness of both people and nature, and they saw nature as a source of spiritual and moral inspiration. They advocated for self-reliance, nonconformity, and the importance of living a simple, authentic life.
Writers like Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau were key figures in the transcendentalist movement, with their essays and books exploring the idea of transcendentalism and its application to various aspects of life.
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