CORNWALL HUMANISTS
Humanism
Humanism is an approach to life based on reason and our common humanity.
This is how we sum up our humanism:
- We think this world and this life is all we have.
- We try to live happy and fulfilled lives ourselves, and we help others to pursue happiness and fulfilment.
- We base our moral values and our views about the world and universe on human reasoning.
- We think people are both individuals and social beings.
- We are atheists or agnostics free from beliefs in gods,
life-after-death, the supernatural and mysticism.
Humanism from The Oxford English Reference Dictionary;
An outlook or system of thought attaching prime importance to human rather than
divine or supernatural matters. The term humanism does not refer to a unified
theory. Historically, it was first applied to studies promoting human culture, and
especially to the cultural movement of the Renaissance, which turned away from
medieval scholasticism (with its theological bias) to value the human achievement of
ancient Greece and Rome. In philosophy, the term has encompassed systems of
thought stressing rational enquiry and human experience over abstract theorizing or
orthodox religion. More broadly, humanist beliefs stress the potential value and
goodness of human beings, emphasize common human needs, and seek solely
rational ways of solving human problems.
from the International Humanist & Ethical Union
Amsterdam Declaration 2002
Humanism is the outcome of a long tradition of free thought that has inspired many of
the world's great thinkers and creative artists and gave rise to science itself.
The fundamentals of modern Humanism are as follows:
- Humanism is ethical. It affirms the worth, dignity and autonomy of the individual and the
right of every human being to the greatest possible freedom compatible with the rights of
others. Humanists have a duty of care to all of humanity including future generations.
Humanists believe that morality is an intrinsic part of human nature based on understanding
and a concern for others, needing no external sanction.
- Humanism is rational. It seeks to use science creatively, not destructively. Humanists believe
that the solutions to the world's problems lie in human thought and action rather than divine
intervention. Humanism advocates the application of the methods of science and free inquiry to
the problems of human welfare. But Humanists also believe that the application of science and
technology must be tempered by human values. Science gives us the means but human values must
propose the ends.
- Humanism supports democracy and human rights. Humanism aims at the fullest possible development
of every human being. It holds that democracy and human development are matters of right. The
principles of democracy and human rights can be applied to many human relationships and are not
restricted to methods of government.
- Humanism insists that personal liberty must be combined with social responsibility. Humanism
ventures to build a world on the idea of the free person responsible to society, and recognises
our dependence on and responsibility for the natural world. Humanism is undogmatic, imposing no
creed upon its adherents. It is thus committed to education free from indoctrination.
- Humanism is a response to the widespread demand for an alternative to dogmatic religion. The
world's major religions claim to be based on revelations fixed for all time, and many seek to
impose their world-views on all of humanity. Humanism recognises that reliable knowledge of the
world and ourselves arises through a continuing process. of observation, evaluation and revision.
- Humanism values artistic creativity and imagination and recognises the transforming power of art.
Humanism affirms the importance of literature, music, and the visual and performing arts for personal
development and fulfilment.
- Humanism is a lifestance aiming at the maximum possible fulfilment through the cultivation of
ethical and creative living and offers an ethical and rational means of addressing the challenges
of our times. Humanism can be a way of life for everyone everywhere.
Our primary task is to make human beings aware in the simplest terms of what Humanism can mean to
them and what it commits them to. By utilising free inquiry, the power of science and creative
imagination for the furtherance of peace and in the service of compassion, we have confidence
that we have the means to solve the problems that confront us all. We call upon all who share
this conviction to associate themselves with us in this endeavour.
IHEU Congress 2002
You will find many other definitions of Humanism - some on our LINKS page.
HOMEPAGE