Gymnosophy
Gymnosophy (from Greek γυμνός gymnós "naked" and σοφία sophía "wisdom") was a movement and a philosophy practiced in Europe and the US from the end of the 19th century to the mid 20th century.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.Dr. Maurice Parmelee (1882-1969), professor of sociology at the City College of New York, wrote from 1923 to 1924 a book, The New Gymnosophy,[3] the title was changed to Nudism In Modern Life in later editions.[8] In the last decade, the word gymnosophy has begun to be used as a term for a new, more spiritual and holistic, free body culture.[9] A poem from the book Non Serviam (1945) by the Swedish author Gunnar Ekelöf is named "Gymnosofisten" ("The Gymnosophist").