The transcendentalist roots of sustainability: Ralph Waldo Emerson and the precedent for the Sustainable Development Goals education

Abstract

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a framework for global development priorities focused on improving human well-being while protecting the environment. Though a modern initiative, the conceptual roots of sustainability and many SDG themes can be traced back over a century. This paper examines the 19th-century Transcendentalist movement and the writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson, which established a philosophical and ethical foundation closely aligned with sustainable development values. The study begins with an introduction and a brief background on the UN SDGs, followed by an overview of Transcendentalism and Emerson’s contributions. Emerson’s core principles and values—emphasis on nature, simplicity, self-reliance, and moral obligation—are explored in detail, demonstrating their parallels with the 17 SDGs. The paper then argues that Emersonian philosophy provides a foundational framework for sustainability, offering a unique perspective on integrating these transcendentalist insights into sustainability education. This study shows how American intellectual traditions anticipated today’s environmental requirements, emphasizing transcendentalism’s long-term influence and impact on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The study offers a unique viewpoint on sustainability by considering transcendentalism’s lasting effect and potential contribution to attaining the SDGs.