U = Ubuntu

No, not the operating system.

Ubuntu is actually a philosophy originating in Africa, loosely translated into, "I am because we are." It's the idea that an individual's humanity comes from their relationship with society.

I don't read a lot of philosophy. In fact, I think I've only read one book I would classify as philosophical and that was The Evolution of Bruno Littlemore by Benjamin Hale which I read sort of on accident. Which is to say I liked the cover art. It's sort of a satirical take on what it means to be human from the perspective a chimpanzee. It's not a book for everyone as it's slow and perverse and a billion pages long.

I'm not interested in talking about books that are strictly philosophical. I find them to be a little boring, but maybe that's because I haven't found the right one... More I want to talk about books that contain a specific philosophy, ubuntu, whether the author meant to include it or not.

"If you want to know what a man’s like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals." This quote is easily recognizable to many as coming from Harry Potter. It's the first story that comes to mind with the inclusion of ubuntu. Harry who gave Dobby a sock was surrounded by friends who loved him, who he loved back. And the difference between him and Voldemort, the thing that made Harry Harry and You-Know-Who You-Know-Who, was that Harry had love and lots of it. He even went so far as to save Malfoy, and let's be honest... I don't live enough of the ubuntu because I probably would have gone the other way.

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury stands out to me for its complete lack of love. Guy Montag lives in a society dependent on ignorance and anger and he doesn't even remember how or when he met his wife. And for a long time, he was a model citizen reflecting back society's nature. He was ignorant and content to work toward keeping other people ignorant too. But all it took was one person who cared, one person who was curious, to turn him into an enemy of the state. Guy simply wouldn't be the same without his society encouraging the lack of knowledge... He wouldn't have wanted it so badly.

I am because we are.

Love, compassion, charity, and education. If you contribute to bettering society, you better yourself. The opposite is also true; refuse society these things and lose your humanity. It's not that different than "Do unto others..." if Bible verses are more your thing. If everyone believed in and practiced ubuntu the world would be a better place for it.

Do you believe we are who we are because of the society we interact with? Can you name any good books with themes of ubuntu in them?