Romanticism is an artistic, literary, and intellectual movement whose terms explicitly define a philosophy of determination. Upholding and affirming the belief that man has the capacity to act with purpose and decision. Accentually Romanticism rejects the notion that man is ruled by the forces of inevitability. The premise that man is a slave to what ever condition or circumstance he finds him self in is to Romanticism a tragic misconception whose means end in obscurity and loss. The Romantic movement strongly asserts that volition is a cognitive function of which man posses. Volition is the act of will, resolve, resolution, determination, purpose.

Categorically, Naturalism is Romanticisms opposite. Naturalism embodies the view that man is represented substantively with in the condition that he finds himself. That man is his reflection, without placing value or judgment upon what he is. Naturalism rejects the notion of volition or decision.

In a general sense, works of art may be seen to express one of these two basic premises. Naturalism and Romanticism hold in their opposing definitions philosophical premises which may be understood to characterize fundamental believes to which individuals gravitate. Art, being the created expression of the artists sense of life, infused with conscious and subconscious concepts, symbols, distinctions, manifest the value judgments of the artist. The finished work bares the imprint of its author.

What is of interest here is not a critique on aesthetics, but to make sense of the philosophical underpinnings which ground an individuals thought processes or cognition. To clarify the functions and resources which effect the progress of our existence is to make the reality of choice of greater consequence. Certainly the sub-currents of our emotional alliances, intellectual dispositions and value oriented motivations are born out in the character of our lives. Such estimations of our selves demand careful and unobstructed observation. To discover whether the orientations which we have aligned our selves are truly of the value which we had imagined.

Naturalism depicts man in what ever state he may be found. Defining the attributes of individuals based on what is obvious, evident, common regarding their person. What ought to be acknowledged about a naturalistic premise is its sober estimation of the conditions which characterize human experience. Finding in man what is evident. What is obvious with repetition, the repeated traits that define, characterize, expose the reality of circumstances which are the result of mans natural disposition.

Naturalism does not seek to discover why man arrives at the condition which he does. That would be to place a value judgment on whether there is a right of wrong to mans devices. Rather, Naturalism expresses what is. The qualities as they are observed. Ugly, beautiful, depraved or virtuous, all are without judgment and are aesthetic qualities, not values. All drink at the same bar. It is at this point of estimation, aesthetic versus value, image versus quality, that Naturalism and Romanticism begin to come into conflict.

Romanticism places values on mans experiences. Finding in human experience estimations which are reprehensible, noble, vile and praise worthy. Romanticism, for this reason, is often associated with strong emotion. Upholding the conviction that virtue, justice, courage, commitment are qualities to be encouraged, sought after, lived for. Where as, that which is gross, mediocre, oppressed, disordered, lascivious, hateful are conditions to be overcome. Romanticism embraces moral value and estimation. Naturalism finds morality a self created mechanism without basis in reality. Naturalism seeks to discover it self. Romanticism strives to become.

The more that these opposing premises are described, the starker the contrast. And less gray becomes the line of separation. To think that there is a place for shared compromise between these opposing philosophical fundamentals is to not appreciate the meaning or consequence of their differing concepts. As mans process of reason is conceptual, what logic dictates ones cognition shadows the whole of ones thought. A fundamental estimation of life will act as the subtext to all of mans further conclusions. Such conclusions effect to influence mans decisions, choices, alignments and ultimately the substantive essence of who we become as persons. Shaping and molding the environment, society and world we live in. We can not live with out consequence.

Certainly man is a disciple of what ever form of reason to which he is aligned. As Romanticism embraces value judgments, Romanticism embraces consequence. And further more concludes that consequence is the high way for the virtue determined soul who would seek to overcome the grave dispositions of his own reality. Concluding that terror, horror and nihilism are real qualities of life, possible futures of existence, which lie in wait for our blood.

Naturalism sees in life a gray mud which unites all behavior in an ineffectual commonness. Action, so they think, is without meaning. Except that which is convenient for the progress of their own lives. Namely, survival is a desirable quality, yet convoluted is the context by which survival is defined. Because the outcome of mans cognitive determinations are slow to mature, concern for the price of consequence on mans wellbeing seems an unworthy investment. There for men do not regularly question what they are becoming.

It may be that human suffering serves to bring order to the disorder of mans concepts. With or with out mans opinion or approval, suffering as a consequence of mans action, behavior or inadequacy reinforces the notion of reality and its natural laws. Suffering is a complicated experience and its implications are not often specifically evident. Yet its unyielding presence forms in man a sense of order and meaning about life, though hard to absolutely specify. The presence of suffering may serve to testify that value estimations are real in the sense that their qualities exist in reality. And are not mere human inventions. So that as in nature, organisms which compete for survival must function with in the frame work which nature dictates. So also, man must contend with moral judgments, acknowledging that morality and values are real qualities, concrete realities of the natural world. Romanticism is the unction to meet the challenges of life with courage.

As Romanticism is an artistic movement, intellectual yes, but idealized in the forms of art. Sculpture, music, painting, drawing and literature are accentually its modes or conventions. Romanticism needs a preacher and it finds its voice in art and expression.

From a western perspective, Romanticism found its name as a literary and intellectual movement which originated in the second half of the 18^th century in western Europe. Yet the philosophical musing which have tooled the notions of volition, determination and value assessment are as old as history. Romanticism is certainly the conceptual subtext to the stories of heroes. The noble soul of the hero has inspired a sense of meaning for countless cultures and civilization of human history. Yet it has been the Books of the Judao-Christian Bible which has championed the cause of reason and volition in such applicable and relevant terms as none other.

As the Judao-Christian Biblical Scripture is a written work, it may been seen as a literary work. And by such terms it may be seen as a work of art. In fact, one need not look far to discover the creative genius wrought through and through the created cosmos. Certainly its Maker is an Artist of artists. It is there for not an alteration of the Holy Bible to describe it as an ultimate in Romantic Literature.

As a lamp in deep darkness, the Word of God stands against the unintelligible abandon of a world without meaning. Against the clamor and wreckage of men left to their own devices. Illuminating for us a comprehensive view of existence. An integration of moral values which are in concert with the facts of reality, of life and living. A covenant between God and man born of the suffering, blood and quickening of Christ Jesus from the dead.

Of this reason the scripture speaks ;

Yea, Thou dost light my lamp; the Lord my God enlightens my darkness. ~ Psalm 18 : 28

Your word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.~ Psalm 119 : 105

Righteous art you, O Lord, and upright are your judgments. Your testimonies that you have commanded are righteous and very faithful. My zeal hath consumed me. ~ Psalm 119 : 137 – 139

For the individual who searches the Judao-Christian scripture, what is found is not cryptic teaching, not superlative, overextended dictates of man made tradition and laws which do more to oppress than liberate. What one finds in the scripture is sound estimations whose fruit is the capacity for moral discretion and effective action. Enabling man to effect what he has recognized to be right, despite hardships, despite dangers, despite boredom and despite mockery from the world.

Wisdom is the principle thing; therefore get wisdom, and in all thy getting get understanding. ~ Proverbs 4 : 7

To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; to give subtlety to the simple, to he young man knowledge and discretion. ~ Proverbs 1 : 3 – 4

When wisdom enters into your heart, knowledge is pleasant to your soul, discretion shall preserve you, understanding shall keep you. ~ Proverbs 2 : 10 – 11

It is here that Christian volition has its footing in value estimations. That the discretion of prudence is not a vague implication. Nor is it the constraints of a religious rule of law. But rather wisdom discerns what is right from wrong. What is good from what is bad. Good being those estimations which are in concert with truth. Truth being external truth, what man understands to be, what he has learned, not what he has imagined in his own heart. External recognition or objective truth must recognize that God is the Father of our existence, the cosmos. And that His assertions are not man made nor subject to our changing whims. Man can not be wise without Gods guidance. If man has wisdom, it is something he has observed and received.

Christian volition implies that with in Christianity there is choice. If there is choice then people have the potential to excel, do well and over come difficult circumstances. Christian doctrine asserts that evil is at work as a natural disposition which all of mankind shares. Christianity offers man choices which are applicable, relevant and in accord with Gods promises found in scripture. The testament of the scripture is a path for man to choose. Man does not have to make his own way. The way is provided. Here, the Judao Christian scriptures and the doctrines of Christianity prove them selves the most applicable, the most necessary, the most meaningful and thoroughly expressed Romanticism that can be found.

Consider the following verses ;

Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. ~ 2 Corinthians 4 : 1 – 2

Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.~ Philippians 3 : 12 – 14

For a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgment, and for strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate. ~ Iaiaha 28 : 6

Christian volition is plainly evident in the chapters of the Bible. The qualities of Romanticism and volition are not hard to find. Ultimately they are there not for our artistic critique, not for our literary approval. They are there for us to build our lives upon. And for the benefits that will follow.