PHILOSOPHICAL AND COSMOLOGICAL CONCEPTS IN AMERICAN TRANSCENDENTALISM

Abstract

B a c k g r o u n d . In the history of early American philosophy, the movement of American transcendentalism occupies a special place. Its peculiarity was that it combined great literature, idealistic philosophy and an irrational worldview. Exploring the phenomenon of nature in their philosophical reflections, American transcendentalists turn to the cosmic levels, endowing the universe with mind and soul.

M e t h o d s . The article uses the method of historical-philosophical reconstruction to reproduce the context of the emergence of American transcendentalism, the hermeneutic method for the interpretation of philosophical texts, with the aim of revealing the ideas of the universe, micro- and macrocosm, as well as consciousness, which are conveyed through symbols and metaphors. For a comprehensive consideration of various aspects of the philosophy of American Transcendentalism as a whole system, a comparative method and a systemic analysis integrating ideas about the cosmos, consciousness and metaphysical principles were involved.

R e s u l t s . The image of the "transparent eye-ball" of R. W. Emerson, described in the essay Nature (1836), symbolizes the state of complete fusion of man with nature, when the personal "I" disappears, giving way to the perception of the universe. The eye of the American transcendentalist is directed towards the cosmos, it passes through all reality, emphasizing the deep connection between man and the cosmos. On the other hand, the unity with nature is thoroughly researched and tested in the solitude experiment of H. D. Thoreau. In his work Walden (1854), H. D. Thoreau describes the desire for unity with nature, separating himself from society and immersing himself in life alone with nature. His experiment demonstrates how a simple, contemplative life can lead to a deeper understanding of oneself and the Universe. In addition, the space poetry of W. Whitman, especially the collection Leaves of Grass (1855), is full of tropes of the cosmos, where space and time are perceived as a single whole, and the images of the Earth and heavenly bodies are interconnected with the human soul, creating a symbolic picture of the unity of humanity with the boundless universe. C o n c l u s i o n s . American transcendentalism was not only a literary movement, but also a powerful philosophical trend that contributed to a deeper understanding of the relationship between man and nature in particular, and the cosmos and spiritual forces in general. Transcendentalist philosophers, such as R. W. Emerson, H. D. Thoreau, and W. Whitman, interpreted the cosmos not only as a physical space, but also as a symbol of a higher truth that man can approach through the harmony of consciousness with nature. American Transcendentalists emphasized inner knowledge, intuition, and spirituality, which remain relevant today, as do calls for living in harmony with majestic nature.