Homaranismo () is a

philosophy Philosophy ('love of wisdom' in Ancient Greek) is a systematic study of general and fundamental questions concerning topics like existence, reason, knowledge, Value (ethics and social sciences), value, mind, and language. It is a rational an ...

developed by

L. L. Zamenhof L. L. Zamenhof (15 December 185914 April 1917) was the creator of Esperanto, the most widely used constructed language, constructed international auxiliary language. Zamenhof published Esperanto in 1887, although his initial ideas date back as ...

, who laid the foundations of the

Esperanto Esperanto (, ) is the world's most widely spoken Constructed language, constructed international auxiliary language. Created by L. L. Zamenhof in 1887 to be 'the International Language' (), it is intended to be a universal second language for ...

language. Based largely on the teachings of

Hillel the Elder Hillel ( ''Hīllēl''; variously called Hillel the Elder or Hillel the Babylonian; died c. 10 CE) was a Jewish religious leader, Sage (philosophy), sage and scholar associated with the development of the Mishnah and the Talmud and the founder of ...

, Zamenhof originally called it ''Hillelism''. He sought to reform

Judaism Judaism () is an Abrahamic religions, Abrahamic, Monotheism, monotheistic, ethnic religion that comprises the collective spiritual, cultural, and legal traditions of the Jews, Jewish people. Religious Jews regard Judaism as their means of o ...

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 The Golden Rule is the principle of treating others as one would want to be treated by them. It is sometimes called an ethics of reciprocity, meaning that one should reciprocate to others how one would like them to treat the person (not neces ...

: ''One should treat others as one would like others to treat oneself''. Zamenhof 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 Baháʼí Faith and the unity of religion, essential worth of all religions and Baháʼí Faith and the unity of humanity, the unity of all people. Established by ...

. Despite his

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).

External links

*
L.L. Zamenhof and the Shadow People
', Esther Schor, December 30, 2009,

The New Republic ''The New Republic'' (often abbreviated as ''TNR'') is an American magazine focused on domestic politics, news, culture, and the arts from a left-wing perspective. It publishes ten print magazines a year and a daily online platform. ''The New Y ...

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 Religious humanism

See also

External links

References