The Philosophical Foundation of the Pioneering Idea in Nachman Syrkin’s Thought

Abstract

Historical academic research has barely dealt with Nachman Syrkin, despite his major importance in establishing the pioneer ethos of social Zionism. His thought relates to non-Marxist socialism, which enhances moral aspects in socialism, relying on Moshe Hess’s theory, on the one hand, and on Narodnik’s thought, on the other. 

In his early twenties, Syrkin took on the task of constructing a political theory that would incorporate the seemingly contradicting aspirations of socialism and Zionism. At the core of his theory stood the confrontation with Marxism, as it was perceived at the time, with its rigid determinism and materialism. Syrkin dealt with philosophical-epistemological and historical aspects of the issue, in order to enhance the idea of the individual’s freedom of will. 

Freedom of will is important at the historical-political level: general movements stemming from materialistic developments are important in history; however, individuals and groups of individuals that can contribute a new interpretation to history are important, too. These individuals deviate from the society they belong to, and can direct history according to the ideas they present to society. Those voluntarily-contributed ideas helped lay down an important conceptual foundation for the development of constructive socialism in Eretz-Israel, in the second decade of the twentieth century, including the Hehalutz movement.