Joxe Azurmendi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joxe Azurmendi
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Joxe Azurmendi on the 50th anniversary of the magazine Jakin (2006)
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| Born | 19 March 1941 Zegama, Basque Country, Spain
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| Alma mater | University of the Basque Country, University of Münster |
| Era | Contemporary philosophy |
| Region | Western philosophy |
| School | Continental philosophy Relativism |
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Main interests
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Modernity, Age of Enlightenment, Rationalism, Romanticism, social philosophy, political philosophy, philosophical anthropology, philosophy of language, ethics, nationalism, Basque literature |
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Notable ideas
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The State as secular church, morality as a political weapon |
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Influences
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Joxe Azurmendi Otaegi (born March 19, 1941) is a famous Basque writer, philosopher, and poet. He has written many articles and books. His works cover topics like how we should live (ethics), how societies are run (politics), and how we use language. He also writes about technology, Basque literature, and general philosophy.
He is a key member of the Jakin magazine group. He also leads Jakin irakurgaiak, a publishing company that has released over 40 books under his guidance. Joxe Azurmendi helped translate important philosophy books into the Basque language. He also helped start the Basque Summer University. He used to be a professor of Modern Philosophy at the Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea (University of the Basque Country). In 2010, he was given an "honorary academic" title by Euskaltzaindia, which is the Basque Language Academy.
Many people see Joxe Azurmendi as one of the most knowledgeable thinkers in the Basque Country. He is known for studying problems deeply rather than just looking for quick answers. His essays explore modern European ideas with great understanding. He often includes the thoughts of European thinkers, especially German ones.
Contents
Life and Work
Joxe Azurmendi studied philosophy and theology in places like the University of the Basque Country, Rome, and Münster.
In the early 1960s, he joined a cultural movement around the Jakin magazine. He even directed the magazine when Franco's government banned it. He has continued to work closely with the magazine since it was allowed again. Through Jakin, he discussed issues facing Basque society, connecting them with European ideas.
In the 1970s, he focused on sharing important writings in the Basque language. These writings covered popular topics in the Basque Country at the time, such as nationhood and socialism. In the 1980s, he started teaching at the University of the Basque Country. In 1984, he wrote his main university paper about Jose Maria Arizmendiarrieta. Arizmendiarrieta started the Mondragon cooperative movement. Azurmendi argued that Arizmendiarrieta wanted to bring people and society together in a way that mixed socialism with ideas about individual importance.
In 1992, he published a very well-known book called Espainolak eta euskaldunak (The Spanish and the Basques). This book was a response to a text that made unfair claims about Basque people. Azurmendi's essay showed that these claims were wrong.
Around the year 2000, Azurmendi's work became even more important. He published a group of three books: Espainiaren arimaz (About the soul of Spain) (2006), Humboldt. Hizkuntza eta pentsamendua (Humboldt. Language and Thought) (2007), and Volksgeist. Herri gogoa (Volksgeist. National Character) (2008). In these books, he shared some of his most important ideas.
In 2009, Azurmendi published a more personal book, Azken egunak Gandiagarekin (The last days with Gandiaga). In this book, he thought about different ways of thinking in science and religion. He suggested that scientific thinking alone might not give us the language to understand the meaning of life.
Main Ideas in Philosophy
A big part of Azurmendi's philosophical work is about defending freedom of thought and conscience. He uses the idea of the "Human-Animal" to connect his thoughts. He believes that our current time is a period of crisis in culture, politics, and values. But he sees this crisis as a chance for new possibilities. Because of this, all his thinking focuses on protecting freedom in every area, especially in our thoughts and beliefs.
Instead of avoiding this crisis, his work tries to show how we can live in it. He takes a relativist view. This means he believes there are no single, absolute truths, especially since modern times have left us without a solid base. He argues against strong, fixed beliefs (dogmatism) that society tends to lean on during a crisis.
He is critical of the modern state, saying it acts like a new church trying to control our thoughts. He also criticizes how morality is sometimes used by politicians. He believes they use moral principles to hide their responsibilities instead of solving real problems.
Azurmendi has also helped us question common ways of understanding different topics. For example, he offers a new way to look at the German Age of Enlightenment. He shows that the ideas of the French Enlightenment and German Romanticism are not as opposite as they seem. He suggests that nationalism actually started in France and was later reinterpreted by German thinkers. He challenges the idea that German thinkers like Goethe or Humboldt were the main creators of a certain type of nationalism. He also questions the differences between civic nationalism (based on shared laws) and ethnic nationalism (based on shared background).
Some of the deep topics Azurmendi writes about in his essays first appeared in his early poetry. His poetry from the 1960s shows a fight against old traditions and fixed beliefs:
But we wish to be free
is that my fault?
They tried to give us a tree from Gernika,
a false blank check,
as if the desire to be free were a sin,
as if we needed an excuse for it,
but despite that, we, quite simply, wish to be free.
That is what we want, that is all.
This is the latest deception:
they have led us to believe
before from outside and now from within
that it is our responsibility to justify our wish to be free.
Manifestu atzeratua (Belated Manifesto) (1968)
He also spends a lot of his work bringing back and reinterpreting Basque thinkers. He breaks down many old ideas about them. His research into Jon Mirande, Orixe, and Unamuno is especially interesting. He has worked for and within Basque culture. He says he was influenced by Basque authors from after World War II, especially concerning language. He has also studied other authors like Heidegger, Wittgenstein, George Steiner, and Humboldt. The fact that all his many works are written in the Basque language fits perfectly with his ideas.
Writing Style
Joxe Azurmendi's writing style mixes formal language with everyday expressions. His prose is quick, sharp, and often uses humor. His Basque is modern and standard, showing his deep knowledge and wide range of expression in the language.
Awards and Recognition
- 1976: Andima Ibiñagabeitia Award for Espainolak eta euskaldunak.
- 1978: Irun Hiria Award for Mirande eta kristautasuna (Mirande and Christianity).
- 1998: Irun Hiria Award for Teknikaren meditazioa (Meditations on Technique).
- 2005: Juan San Martin Award for Humboldt: Hizkuntza eta pentsamendua (Humboldt. Language and Thought).
- 2010: Euskadi Literatura Saria Award (essay category) for Azken egunak Gandiagarekin (The last days with Gandiaga).
- 2010: Named Ohorezko euskaltzaina (Honorary Academic) by Euskaltzaindia.
- 2012: Eusko Ikaskuntza Award.
- 2012: Dabilen Elea Award.
- 2014: His entire work was made digital by The Council of Gipuzkoa.
- 2015: Euskadi Literatura Saria Award (essay category) for Historia, arraza, nazioa (History, race, nation).
- 2019: A special Joxe Azurmendi Congress was held by Joxe Azurmendi Katedra and the University of the Basque Country.
Key Works
The Inguma database, which tracks Basque scientific works, lists over 180 texts by Azurmendi. Here are some of his important books:
Essays
- Hizkuntza, etnia eta marxismoa (Language, Ethnics and Marxism) (1971)
- Gizona Abere hutsa da (Man is Pure Animal) (1975)
- Espainolak eta euskaldunak (The Spanish and the Basques) (1992)
- Teknikaren meditazioa (Meditations on Technique) (1998)
- Espainiaren arimaz (About the soul of Spain) (2006)
- Humboldt. Hizkuntza eta pentsamendua (Humboldt. Language and Thought) (2007)
- Volksgeist. Herri gogoa (Volksgeist. National Character) (2007)
- Azken egunak Gandiagarekin (The last days with Gandiaga) (2009)
- Historia, arraza, nazioa (History, race, nation) (2014)
Poetry
- Hitz berdeak (Unrefined words) (1971)
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See also
