Andrew Norton. Norton wrote that Transcendentalism exists “in undefined and intelligible feelings” that were “awakened by the beautiful and magnificent spectacles which nature presents.” Although Norton disagreed with the Transcendentalists and meant to criticize their beliefs, he actually ended up explaining them very clearly. Similar beliefs were communicated by the active Transcendentalist Orestes Brownson who believed that “God displayed his presence in every aspect of the natural world (Rise of Transcendentalism, pg. 3).” The emphasis of Transcendentalism on each individual’s yearning for truth supports the basic ideas of democracy and liberty. In Brownson’s words, “…truth lights her torch in the inner temple of every man’s soul…It is only on the reality of this inner light, and on the fact, that it is universal, in all men, and in every man, that you can found a democracy, which shall have a firm basis…” The emphasis on the goodness and intuitive wisdom of each individual is in stark contrast to Calvin’s teachings that men are evil and corrupt. The origins of the spiritual movement of Transcendentalism were fueled not only by religions of the day, but by a yearning for something more than what was believed in those religions. The rise of Transcendentalism was due to the transformation of Unitarianism as well as the beginning of a romantic movement which opened people’s eyes to the idea that everything could not be proven through rational thought. This idea paired with the thought that people were essentially good opened the door to a society based on human decency rather than fear....
