Freethought & Rationalism Archive

CGP314 · 07-29-2003, 05:06 AM

I've been looking around online, but I can seem to find anywhere that has a clear definition.

Secular Pinoy · 07-29-2003, 05:17 AM

Try this - Definitions of Humanism. Excerpt:

Quote:

Humanism is a progressive lifestance that, without supernaturalism, affirms our ability and responsibility to lead meaningful, ethical lives capable of adding to the greater good of humanity. * American Humanist Association

Humanism is a rational philosophy informed by science, inspired by art, and motivated by compassion. Affirming the dignity of each human being, it supports the maximization of individual liberty and opportunity consonant with social and planetary responsibility. It advocates the extension of participatory democracy and the expansion of the open society, standing for human rights and social justice. Free of supernaturalism, it recognizes human beings as a part of nature and holds that values?be they religious, ethical, social, or political?have their source in human experience and culture. Humanism thus derives the goals of life from human need and interest rather than from theological or ideological abstractions, and asserts that humanity must take responsibility for its own destiny. * The Humanist Magazine

Humanism is a democratic and ethical lifestance 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 ethics based on human and other natural values in a spirit of reason and free inquiry through human capabilities. It is not theistic, and it does not accept supernatural views of reality. * The International Humanist and Ethical Union

CGP314 · 07-29-2003, 05:35 AM

Wow,

That was quick and informative.

thanks!

emotional · 07-29-2003, 06:33 AM

Secular Pinoy,

That above description is specifically secular humanism. I don't fit it - I believe in God and the afterlife - yet I'm a humanist. I'm a humanist because I regard morality and kindness between humans as tantamount. But I don't accept the materialist, rationalist tenets to which Paul Kurtz et al adhere.

Worldtraveller · 07-29-2003, 07:16 AM

Or you can try looking in the IIDB library...

http://www.infidels.org/library/mode...sm/index.shtml

I have barely scratched the surface of all the material here....

Cheers,
Lane

Rational BAC · 07-29-2003, 07:32 AM

I agree with emotional. Secular humanism is the much more accurate term.

Humanism is just too broad. Fits everybody.

CGP314 · 07-29-2003, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rational BAC
I agree with emotional. Secular humanism is the much more accurate term.

Humanism is just too broad. Fits everybody.

If the first reply is secular humanism, then what is humanism?

Secular Pinoy · 07-29-2003, 07:44 AM

I'm sorry if you're left out emotional. I assumed that the AHA, which is more inclusive of religious humanists than the CSH, would have a definition that would include those of your persuasion. I haven't read the entire article to check if your views are represented, if it's not, then would you like to state it, so that we can understand your humanism more.

I have a quote from Linus Pauling that goes: Humanism is a philosophy of joyous service for the greater good of all humanity, of application of new ideas of scientific progress for the benefit of all. I think this may be a bit vague and uninformative, but it doesn't seem to be against supernaturalists/spiritualists.

I have another quote on what humanism is, though you may not like the comment the author has made on immortality:

Quote:

Humanism is a rational philosophy based on belief in the dignity of human beings, informed by science and motivated by human hope and human compassion.

Humanists revere the natural world, knowing of no other place to set good examples, to work, and to show love. We accept responsibility for what we do and what we become, believing that our immortality is found in the examples we set and in the work we do. We rejoice in the diversity around us.

In the words of Thomas Paine, "such is the irresistible nature of truth that all it asks, and all it wants, is the liberty of appearing."

We seek insight from all cultures and from many sources--scientific, secular, and religious--recognizing that there are many truths and many ways to learn about how to live.

--Heather Dorrell
President, Humanists of Utah
June 2002

King Rat · 07-29-2003, 10:44 AM

I must be schizophrenic then:

hu�man�ist (hy m -n st) adj 1: of or pertaining to Renaissance humanism; "the humanistic revival of learning" [syn: humanistic] 2: of or pertaining to a philosophy asserting human dignity and man's capacity for fulfillment through reason and scientific method and often rejecting religion; "the humanist belief in continuous emergent evolution"- Wendell Thomas [syn: humanistic] 3: pertaining to or concerned with the humanities; "humanistic studies"; "a humane education" [syn: humanistic, humane] 4: marked by humanistic values and devotion to human welfare; "a humane physician"; "released the prisoner for humanitarian reasons"; "respect and humanistic regard for all members of our species" [syn: human-centered, humanistic, humanitarian] n 1: a classical scholar or student of the liberal arts 2: an advocate of the principles of humanism

mis�an�thrope (m s n-thr p , m z -) also mis�an�thro�pist (m s- n thr -p st, m z -)n.
One who hates or mistrusts humankind.

Viti · 07-29-2003, 11:09 AM

This sums up Humanism for me

If abuses are destroyed, we must destroy them. If slaves are freed, we must free them. If new truths are discovered, we must discover them. If the naked are clothed; if the hungry are fed; if justice is done; if labor is rewarded; if superstition is driven from the mind; if the defenseless are protected and if the right finally triumphs, all must be the work of people. The grand victories of the future must be won by humanity, and by humanity alone.`Robert Ingersoll

07-29-2003, 05:06 AM	#1
CGP314 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: London Posts: 25	What is a Humanist? I've been looking around online, but I can seem to find anywhere that has a clear definition.

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07-29-2003, 05:35 AM	#3
CGP314 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: London Posts: 25	Wow, That was quick and informative. thanks!

07-29-2003, 06:33 AM	#4
emotional Banned Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Boxing ring of HaShem, Jesus and Allah Posts: 1,945	Secular Pinoy, That above description is specifically secular humanism. I don't fit it - I believe in God and the afterlife - yet I'm a humanist. I'm a humanist because I regard morality and kindness between humans as tantamount. But I don't accept the materialist, rationalist tenets to which Paul Kurtz et al adhere.

07-29-2003, 07:16 AM	#5
Worldtraveller Banned Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 7,834	Or you can try looking in the IIDB library... http://www.infidels.org/library/mode...sm/index.shtml I have barely scratched the surface of all the material here.... Cheers, Lane

07-29-2003, 07:32 AM	#6
Rational BAC Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Tampa Bay area Posts: 3,471	I agree with emotional. Secular humanism is the much more accurate term. Humanism is just too broad. Fits everybody.

07-29-2003, 10:44 AM	#9
King Rat Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 6,855	I must be schizophrenic then: hu�man�ist (hy m -n st) adj 1: of or pertaining to Renaissance humanism; "the humanistic revival of learning" [syn: humanistic] 2: of or pertaining to a philosophy asserting human dignity and man's capacity for fulfillment through reason and scientific method and often rejecting religion; "the humanist belief in continuous emergent evolution"- Wendell Thomas [syn: humanistic] 3: pertaining to or concerned with the humanities; "humanistic studies"; "a humane education" [syn: humanistic, humane] 4: marked by humanistic values and devotion to human welfare; "a humane physician"; "released the prisoner for humanitarian reasons"; "respect and humanistic regard for all members of our species" [syn: human-centered, humanistic, humanitarian] n 1: a classical scholar or student of the liberal arts 2: an advocate of the principles of humanism mis�an�thrope (m s n-thr p , m z -) also mis�an�thro�pist (m s- n thr -p st, m z -)n. One who hates or mistrusts humankind.

07-29-2003, 11:09 AM	#10
Viti Contributor Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Down South Posts: 12,879	This sums up Humanism for me If abuses are destroyed, we must destroy them. If slaves are freed, we must free them. If new truths are discovered, we must discover them. If the naked are clothed; if the hungry are fed; if justice is done; if labor is rewarded; if superstition is driven from the mind; if the defenseless are protected and if the right finally triumphs, all must be the work of people. The grand victories of the future must be won by humanity, and by humanity alone.`Robert Ingersoll

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