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The Concept of Nature in American Transcendentalism: Emerson and Thoreau appropriating Kant

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Date Issued:
2008
Abstract/Description:
The objective of this study is to compare Emerson's and Thoreau's concepts of nature as they are informed by Immanuel Kant. In particular, this study examines Emerson's Nature, The Transcendentalist, The Divinity School Address, The Conservative; and Thoreau's A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers, Walden; or, Life in the Woods and The Maine Woods to analyze how their ideas of nature are anchored in Kant's three Critiques. Emerson and Thoreau develop Kant's ideas and both arrive at an unlimited nature which is not bound to objects of form. While Emerson focuses on human nature in the organism, Thoreau is concerned with organic nature in particular.
Title: The Concept of Nature in American Transcendentalism: Emerson and Thoreau appropriating Kant.
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Name(s): Unger, Ulrike
Augustyn, Prisca, Thesis advisor
Florida Atlantic University, Degree grantor
Type of Resource: text
Genre: Electronic Thesis Or Dissertation
Date Created: 2008
Date Issued: 2008
Publisher: Florida Atlantic University
Place of Publication: Boca Raton, Fla.
Physical Form: application/pdf
Extent: 68 p.
Language(s): English
Abstract/Description: The objective of this study is to compare Emerson's and Thoreau's concepts of nature as they are informed by Immanuel Kant. In particular, this study examines Emerson's Nature, The Transcendentalist, The Divinity School Address, The Conservative; and Thoreau's A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers, Walden; or, Life in the Woods and The Maine Woods to analyze how their ideas of nature are anchored in Kant's three Critiques. Emerson and Thoreau develop Kant's ideas and both arrive at an unlimited nature which is not bound to objects of form. While Emerson focuses on human nature in the organism, Thoreau is concerned with organic nature in particular.
Identifier: FA00000971 (IID)
Degree granted: Thesis (M.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2008.
Collection: FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection
Note(s): Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters
Subject(s): Emerson, Ralph Waldo,--1803-1882--Criticism and interpretation
Thoreau, Henry David,--1817-1862--Criticism and interpretation
Kant, Immanuel,--1724-1804--Criticism and interpretation
Transcendentalism in literature
Nature in literature
Symbolism in literature
Held by: Florida Atlantic University Libraries
Sublocation: Digital Library
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00000971
Use and Reproduction: Copyright © is held by the author with permission granted to Florida Atlantic University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
Use and Reproduction: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Host Institution: FAU
Is Part of Series: Florida Atlantic University Digital Library Collections.