Humanism

[Aimz]

Hi all,

I am curious to see if anyone subscribes to the Humanist Life Stance. I haven't met many people who do, and there aren't many people out there who even know what it's about. My late Grandfather and my Dad are both Humanists. Humanism is a life stance that upholds human reason, ethics, and justice, and rejects supernaturalism, pseudoscience, and superstition. It has appeal to agnostics, apatheists, atheists, empiricists, freethinkers, Objectivists, rationalists, and scientific skeptics. It is not a religion - more an attitude towards life.

Humanism is a democratic and ethical life stance, which affirms that human beings have the right and responsibility to give meaning and shape to their own lives. It stands for the building of a more humane society through an ethic based on human and other natural values in the spirit of reason and free inquiry through human capabilities. It is not theistic, and it does not accept supernatural views of reality.

Humanism features an optimistic attitude about the capacity of people, but it does not involve believing that human nature is purely good or that all people can live up to the Humanist ideals without help. If anything, there is the recognition that living up to one's potential is hard work and requires the assistance of others. The ultimate goal is human flourishing; making life better for all humans, and as the most conscious species, also promoting concern for the welfare of other sentient beings. The focus is on doing good and living well in the here and now, and leaving the world better for those who come after.

I would love to have a discussion about this with anyone, of any religion.

[fionas]

Very interesting amysarah. I'm a bit too sleepy to say much more right now other than that. There's definitely lots of things there that appeal to me but I'd probably describe myself in religious terms as an agnostic (like to hedge my bets!) whereas DP would describe himself as an atheist. However, after reading those descriptions, the term 'humanist' may more accurately describe him.

Interested in learning more.

[krysalyss]

Hi Amysarah - what is the view of this with regards to other beings such as animals, and also with regards to protecting the earth/environment?

[Aimz]

Great questions Krysalyss! There are a set of core principles of Humanism of which I have obtained the following...

Humans do not have a right of dominion over animals and the environment, it being recognized that humans along with many other species of animals do change their environment by their very existence.

What this principle asserts is that the Biblical right extended to humans to exercise "dominion" over animals and even nature is not a human right at all. Humanists should not restrict their horizons to humans alone and should respect this right of existence. This principle should not be taken as a proscription against modifying the environment. Any species, human or animal, has to make certain modifications in the natural environment to accommodate its basic living requirements. What the principle asserts is that wanton and deliberate destruction of animal life and ecosystems is not an automatic right of humans. At the very least it must include what now described as ecological conservation and responsibility, but a case can be made to take it much further.

[Nai]

Amy, I hadn't really heard of Humanism but from what you have said it does seem to explain a lot of my own value system regarding ethics in relation to people, animals and the environment.

I think I may have to do more reading about it!

[Heaven]

Interesting thread Amy! I hadn't heard of Humanism before and from what you have said I can see why it appeals to many people!

I like the idea of it but from my own point of view the reason I wouldn't ascribe to humanism is because I don't feel I (or humans I guess) have enough knowledge and foresight to know what is ultimately best, we have made some huge mistakes, so I trust in a higher power.

Very interesting topic. How do you incorporate humanism into your life?