Gymnosophy

This article is about a modern philosophy. For ancient Indian philosophy known by the same name, see Gymnosophists.

Gymnosophy (from Greek γυμνός gymnós "naked" and σοφία sophía "wisdom") was a movement and a philosophy practiced in Europe and the USA from the end of the 19th century to the mid 20th century. The practice involved nudity, asceticism and meditation.

In the early 20th century, the term was appropriated by several groups to denote a broad philosophy that included as a central thought that the nude human body is a natural condition and should be widely acceptable for the betterment of society. This philosophy is related closely, and often interchangeably, with nudism, naturism and has close connection to the hippie movement.[1][2]

The movement is known by three organisations, the English Gymnosophical Society, Societe Internationale de Gymnosophie and the American Gymnosophical Association.

The English Gymnosophical Society was founded in 1922 and became The New Gymnosophy Society in 1926. One of the first members was Gerald Gardner, who in 1945 established the 'Five Acres Club', ostensibly as a nudist club, but as a front for Wiccans, as this was illegal in England until 1951.

The Societe Internationale de Gymnosophie was founded in 1926 in France.

Dr. Maurice Parmelee (1882-1969), Professor of sociology, City College of New York, published 1927 the book "The New Gymnosophy" in New York (the title was changed to Nudism In Modern Life in later editions).[3] and took part in the founding of the American Gymnosophical Association 1930.

The biochemist and historian Joseph Needham was known to practice gymnosophy.

The word "gymnosophy" in literature

A reputed poem from the book Non Serviam, 1945, by the Swedish author Gunnar Ekelöf is named "Gymnosofisten", (the gymnosophist).

In "[Don Quixote]": "...in defiance and in spite of envy itself, and all the magicians that Persia, or Brahmans that India, or Gymnosophists that Ethiopia ever produced..."

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Hippie Roots & The Perennial Subculture, 2003.
  2. ↑ Kalifornication, Frieze magazine, 9, 2013
  3. ↑ Adventures in Many Lands, Autobiographical Memoir of Maurice Parmelee, Manuscripts and Archives, Yale University Library