Homaranismo ( en, Humanitism) is a
philosophy developed by
L. L. Zamenhof, who laid the foundations of the
Esperanto language. Based largely on the teachings of
Hillel the Elder, Zamenhof originally called it ''Hillelism''. He sought to reform
Judaism
Judaism ( he, ''Yahăḏūṯ'') is an Abrahamic, monotheistic, and ethnic religion comprising the collective religious, cultural, and legal tradition and civilization of the Jewish people. It has its roots as an organized religion in t ...
because he hoped that without the strict dress code and purity requirements, it would no longer be the victim of antisemitic propaganda. The basis of Homaranismo is the sentence known as the
Golden Rule: ''One should treat others as one would like others to treat oneself''.
Zamenhof himself wrote in the preface to his book Homaranismo:
''Under the name "Homaranismo" ..I mean "striving for humanity", for the elimination of interethnic hatred and injustice, and for such a way of life that could gradually lead not theoretically but practically to the spiritual unification of humanity.''
Based on this idea, he came to the conclusion that this philosophy could be a bridge between religions, not just a subset of Judaism. Zamenhof subsequently renamed his philosophy Homaranismo.
While many different motivations drew early Esperantists to that movement, for Zamenhof Esperanto was always a means by which to facilitate improved human relations, especially beyond boundaries of race, language and culture. Zamenhof's daughter
Lidia embraced this philosophy and taught it alongside Esperanto and her adopted religion, the
Baháʼí Faith
The Baháʼí Faith is a religion founded in the 19th century that teaches the essential worth of all religions and the unity of all people. Established by Baháʼu'lláh in the 19th century, it initially developed in Iran and parts of the ...
.
Despite his
Esperanto language project, Zamenhof said of Homaranismo, "It is indeed the object of my whole life. I would give up everything for it."
[Edmond Privat, "The Life of Zamenhof", p 117.]
Zamenhof developed his ideas on Homaranismo in two works: ''Hilelismo'' (1901) and ''Homaranismo'' (1913).
See also
*
Humanism
Humanism is a philosophy, philosophical stance that emphasizes the individual and social potential and Agency (philosophy), agency of Human, human beings. It considers human beings the starting point for serious moral and philosophical in ...
*
Baháʼí Faith
The Baháʼí Faith is a religion founded in the 19th century that teaches the essential worth of all religions and the unity of all people. Established by Baháʼu'lláh in the 19th century, it initially developed in Iran and parts of the ...
*
Lidia Zamenhof
External links
*
L.L. Zamenhof and the Shadow People',
Esther Schor
Esther is the eponymous heroine of the Book of Esther. In the Achaemenid Empire, the Persian king Ahasuerus seeks a new wife after his queen, Vashti, is deposed for disobeying him. Hadassah, a Jewess who goes by the name of Esther, is chosen ...
, December 30, 2009,
The New Republic
''The New Republic'' is an American magazine of commentary on politics, contemporary culture, and the arts. Founded in 1914 by several leaders of the progressive movement, it attempted to find a balance between "a liberalism centered in hu ...
.
References
* Welger, Helmut: Kosmopoliti human (Homaranismo). Version 1999.
W. A. Macdonald, Humanitism: The Scientific Solution of the Social Problem, Trubner & Co., London, 1890
{{wikisourcelang, eo, Homaranismo
1913 introductions
Jewish philosophical concepts
Humanism