Early American Transcendentalism has one of the greatest influences on American society because it is not only a philosophy, but also a religion and physical progress. In the early 19th century, "transcendentalists opposed what they saw as the materialism, conformity, and exaggerated liberalism of American religion and society..." (Timko). If America's first transcendentalists lived among civilians today, would today's civilians think the early activists were radical and psychotic? During this era, Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote: “There are always two parties, the party of the Past and the party of the Future” (Timko). Early radical and transcendental activists believe that their approach to life is the gateway to America's future and that they are leading by example, in the hope that other non-transcendentalist intellectual societies will choose to follow in their footsteps to actual freedom. During the nineteenth century, Transcendentalism is as much a philosophy as it is a religion and a physical movement. The philosophical aspect of transcendentalism greatly influences early American societies because early societies were considered extremely intellectual, so the thought of transcendentalism attracted many scholars. This aspect also contributed to the common man's vision of nature and surrounding life. John L. Locke, an English philosopher, rejected the concept of intuitive ideas and declared, “There is nothing in the mind except what was before in the senses” (“Locke”). In opposition to Locke's thinking, American Transcendentalists believe that an individual's intuition is more important and valuable than familiarity and logic (“Transcendentalism”). Emerson's clear perception of “sel...... middle of paper…… B. Perkins, Barbara Perkins, and Phillip Leininger. vol. 1. New York: HarperCollins, 1991. 631. Literature Resource Center. Network. November 4, 2011.Null, J. Wesley, and Amy Williamson. “Ralph Waldo Emerson's educational philosophy as a basis for cooperative learning.” American Journal of the History of Education 35.1-2 (2008): 381+. Completed Educator Reference. Network. November 14, 2011. "The Seer of Walden." Henry David Thoreau. Richard J. Schneider. Boston: Twayne Publishers, 1987. 45-71. Twayne United States Authors Series 497. Gale Virtual Reference Library.Web. October 30, 2011.Timko, Michael. "Henry David Thoreau and the Transcendental Reformation". World and I January 2009. Gale Opposing views in context. Network. October 29, 2011."Transcendentalism." Merriam Webster's Encyclopedia of Literature. Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster, 1995. Literature Resource Center. Network. October 30. 2011.