What are the differences and similarities between modernists and transcendentalists?
That’s a large subject, but I’ll try to show some points. Modernists are very much of the same philosphy as humanists. Both believe in the ability of man’s reason applied to our modern society instead of the morals and religious tenets established (primarily through Christianity) a couple of thousand years ago. Transcendentalist (American version) philosophy agrees with the above almost exactly, except that Transcendentalists believe that human intuition, not reason, should guide human’s lives. Modernists reject the concept of a Supreme Authority (God). Transcendentalists accept the concept of a Supreme Authority, but reject traditional dogma. – – – – – Modernists believe that human reason has the power to shape society. Transcendentalists believe that humans have the power and authority to use their intuitive knowledge to shape society. (I know that’s a very fine line, but the basis of that is that Modernists do not believe in a God, while Transcendentalists do.) Both are identical in
