The Impact of Transcendentalism on Henry David Thoreau’s Perspectives on Consumerist Principles

The principal objective of this investigation was to explore the impact philosophy transcendentalism on Henry David Thoreau’s perspectives consumerist principles as described in a Life without Principle. In study, examined through lenses industrialization, consumerism, and capitalism. transcendentalist elements individualism, denouncing large institutions, refuge nature, rejection conformity, free religious practice were analyzed determine had Thoreau. By analyzing industrialization lens, it became clear Thoreau rejected environmental degradation strict rules. negative impacts materialistic mindset, historically heightened by Gold Rush, social conformity evident study consumerism. Additionally, instrumental reasoning political atomism espoused economic ideology capitalism This provides evidence that led value reject societal institutions collectivization, conclude consumerism promoted meaningless purchasing cycles.