Modern transcendental idealism, Emersonianism, for instance, also seems to let God evaporate into abstract Ideality. Not a deity in concreto, not a superhuman person, but the immanent divinity in things, the essentially spiritual structure of the universe, is the object of the transcendentalist cult. In that address of the graduating class at Divinity College in 1838 which made Emerson famous, the frank expression of this worship of mere abstract laws was what made the scandal of the performance.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Transcendentalism worships abstract laws instead of a concrete deity.
- In plain terms
- Some worship abstract ideas instead of a real God.
- What can you take from it?
- Recognize when worship becomes abstract.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Do you worship a person or idea?
- Is concrete better than abstract?
Another view
Abstract concepts can still hold deep spiritual value for many.
More from William James
Religion...is a man's total reaction upon life.
Permalink to quote #53 There must be something solemn, serious, and tender about any attitude which we denominate religious. If glad, it must not grin or snicker; if sad, it must not…
Permalink to quote #55 Religion, therefore, as I now ask you arbitrarily to take it, shall mean for us the feelings, acts, and experiences of individual men in their solitude, so far…
Permalink to quote #52
Related quotes
I don't mind praying to the eternal Father, but I must be the only man in the country afflicted with an eternal mother.
King of England Edward VIIKing of England Edward VII quote #1 Quid est aliud de philosophia tractare, nisi verae religionis, qua summa et principalis omnium rerum causa, Deus, et humiliter colitur, et rationabiliter inves…
Johannes Scotus EriugenaJohannes Scotus Eriugena quote #3 How many persons must there be who cannot worship alone since they are content with so little.
Margaret FullerMargaret Fuller quote #6