Philosophy Fruitlands (transcendental center)

fruitlands co-founder amos bronson alcott

many of alcott s , lane s ideas derived transcendentalism. influenced transcendental ideas of god not traditional view bible world spirit. alcott s view of transcendentalism sort of religious anarchism, renunciation of world focus on spirit. members of fruitlands believed spiritual regeneration linked physical health, outward abstinence sign of inward fullness . though based on working community, fruitlands hoped individualistic improvement. alcott believed in perfect intuition of children and, therefore, put strong emphasis on education , hoped innocence have rejuvenating effect on elders.

economy

fruitlands residents, called consociate family , wished separate world economy refraining trade, having no personal property, , not using hired labor. alcott , lane believed community achieve complete freedom eliminating economic activity altogether. alcott in particular believed present economy evil. end, strove towards self-sufficiency planning on growing food need , making goods needed. accomplishing these 2 goals, eliminate need participate in trade or purchase food outside world. initially, bronson alcott , lane modeled ideas personal property off shakers, held property communally. however, shakers not self-sufficient; traded hand-made goods coffee, tea, meat , milk. bronson alcott , lane eliminated need trade these supplies because eliminated animal products , stimulants diets entirely.

in end, fruitlands community had no effect on economy of outside world; fruitlands allowed residents practice ideals without forcing them effect real change.

lifestyle , diet

fruitlands residents began days purging cold-water shower , subsisted on simple diet containing no stimulants or animal products. vegans, excluding milk , honey diets. “neither coffee, tea, molasses, nor rice tempts beyond bounds of indigenous production,” lane wrote. “no animal substances neither flesh, butter, cheese, eggs, nor milk pollute our tables, nor corrupt our bodies.” diet fruit , water; many vegetables—including carrots, beets, , potatoes—were forbidden because showed lower nature growing downward.

greaves table of circumstantial law, revised fruitlands co-founder charles lane

fruitlands members wore linen clothes , canvas shoes; cotton fabric forbidden because exploited slave labor , wool banned because came sheep. bronson alcott , lane believed animals should not exploited meat or labor, used no animals farming. arose out of 2 beliefs: animals less intelligent humans , that, therefore, duty of humans protect them; , using animals tainted work , food, since animals not enlightened , therefore unclean. eventually, winter coming, alcott , lane compromised , allowed ox , cow.