The Metaphysical Correspondence between Nature and Spirit in the Visions of the American Transcendentalists Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau

La question qui porte sur la manière de résoudre la question de notre existence – du soi et de notre rapport au monde – a occupé l’homme depuis ses origines. La religion et la philosophie ont précisément pour centre cette interrogation. D’après son caractère et ses expériences personnelles, chaque homme se crée sa propre philosophie. Ainsi du transcendentaliste Ralph Waldo Emerson : nous voulons interroger sa vision du monde par rapport à celles d’Henri Thoreau et de Johann Wolfgang Goethe à partir de la question de la correspondance mystique entre l’homme et la Nature. Man’s attempt to solve the riddle of his existence – of the surrounding world and his inner states by means of his mental activity – is rooted in his very nature and has been a strong desire for centuries. With the awakening of the conscious mind, this endeavour led him into the spheres of philosophy and religion. Each person creates his own philosophy and belief to match his own character and personal experiences. From this point of view, we will consider the writings of Emerson, Thoreau and Goethe, focussing on their mystical attitude towards nature.