Advanced Placement US History (AP US History) Practice Exam

Which philosophical approach did Transcendentalists emphasize?

1. Strict adherence to established traditions

2. Analysis based purely on empirical evidence

3. Personal feelings over learned analysis

4. Complete rejection of romanticism

The correct answer is: Personal feelings over learned analysis

Transcendentalists emphasized the importance of personal feelings and intuition over traditional learned analysis and strict adherence to established norms. This philosophical movement, which emerged in the early 19th century in America, held that individuals could gain insights and knowledge through their own experiences and emotions rather than solely through formal education or societal conventions. Figures such as Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau championed the belief that self-reliance and individual experience were paramount in understanding the world and one's place in it. This focus highlights the value of subjective experience in contrast to rigid analytical frameworks or empirical evidence alone. In contrast to strict adherence to established traditions, Transcendentalists challenged societal norms and sought to transcend conventional boundaries, favoring personal exploration. They also did not advocate for a purely empirical approach, as empirical analysis often relies on observable data and shared truths, which they believed could overlook the profound insights of personal experience. Lastly, while Romanticism and Transcendentalism share commonalities, Transcendentalists did not completely reject romanticism; rather, they built upon and evolved romantic ideas by emphasizing individual intuition and the spiritual connection to nature.