摘 要超验主义强调超灵控制一切，肯定人的神圣性和主观能动性，提倡人文主义和个性解放，号召美国人超越物质利益去追求高尚的精神生活。梭罗是超验主义的代表人物之一，从他的作品中可以找到超验主义思想的体现。道家思想强调人们要清心寡欲，亲近自然，遵循事物发展的规律。老子和梭罗虽然生活在不同的时代，但是他们的思想有很多相似性，二者对当代社会的发展也有着现实意义。梭罗对中国古典文化的吸收提示我们要树立正确的文化观念，正确对待外来文化。10826
关键词：超验主义；道家思想；相似性
Abstract
Transcendentalism stresses that all things are governed by the oversoul. It affirms man’s sacredness and the human subjective initiative. It also advocates humanism and emancipation of inpiduality, calling on Americans to go beyond the pursuit of material and seek lofty spirit. Thoreau is one of the exponents of Transcendentalism. From his works we can find out the embodiments of this philosophy. Taoism emphasizes that people should lessen their desires, be close to the nature and act in accordance with the laws of the development process of all things. Although Thoreau and Lao Zi lived in different periods, their thoughts have many similarities. Thoreau’s absorption of Chinese classic culture reminds us to hold correct cultural perspective and deal with foreign cultures wisely.
Key words: Transcendentalism; Taoism; similarity
Contents
摘 要 i
Abstract ii
Ⅰ.Introduction 1
Ⅱ.Brief Introduction to Transcendentalism and Taoism 3
2.1The Emergence and Development of Transcendentalism 3
2.2 The Basic Contents of Transcendentalism 4
2.3 The Main Exponents and Their Representative Works of Transcendentalism 5
2.4 The Emergence and Development of Taoism 6
2.5 The Basic Contents of Taoism 7
2.6 The Main Exponents and Their Representative Works of Taoism 9
Ⅲ.The Great Similarity Between Transcendentalism and Taoism 9
3.1 Similar Philosophical Foundations of Transcendentalism and Taoism 9
3.2 Similar View of Respecting Nature in Transcendentalism and Taoism. 10
3.3 Similar Asceticism or Abstention in Transcendentalism and Taoism 10
Ⅳ.The Practical Significance and Cultural Perspective Reflected in Transcendentalism and Taoism 12
4.1The Pratical Significance of Transcendentalism and Taoism 12
4.2 The Cultural Perspective Learned from Thoreau’s Attitude Towards Chinese Culture 13
Ⅴ.Conclusion 13
Bibliography 15
Acknowledgements 16
On the Relevance of Thoreau’s Transcendentalism to Lao Zi’s Taoism
Ⅰ.Introduction
This part is the introduction to Henry David Thoreau and Lao Zi. Henry David Thoreau is a great American author born in Concord, Massachusetts on July 12, 1817. He is not only an author but also has a capacity as a poet, philosopher, naturalist, development critic, abolitionist, tax resister, historian, land surveyor and leading transcendentalist.After graduating from Harvard University, he worked as a primary school teacher, but resigned after two weeks because of the unacceptable constraints. Later, he did a favor for his father in the pencil factory, and set up primary school with his brother. Thoreau's books, articles, essays, journals, and poetry have a total of over 20 volumes. Among these, his best known book is Walden, a reflection on simple life in the nature, and his most famous essay is Resistance to Civil Government (also known as Civil Disobedience), an argument for disobedience to an inequitable state. His literary style combines close natural observation with personal experience, pointed rhetoric, symbolic meanings, and historical lore, when showing a poetic sensibility and philosophical austerity. 梭罗的超验主义与老子道家思想的关联性:http://www.youerw.com/yingyu/lunwen_9996.html