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Humanism as the Next Step
Information about the practice of Humanism.
Paperback
First published February 1, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 28, 2013
Allow me to wax philosophical for a moment. As I get older--I am going to be 45--I have come to realize a great truth about reality: everything changes. The physical universe, human beings, relationships, ourselves; it's all in a constant state of flux. Understanding this point, and adapting one's thinking to accept the truths of a changing universe, is difficult. In our religions (or at least the religions I am most familiar with: Christianity, Islam, and Judaism) we are told that "these times are the same at those times". Things don't change, in other words. What happened thousands of years ago should guide our thinking about what's happening now. God spoke in the Bible, the Koran, or the Torah, and it's our duty to adapt our thinking, our societies, and our lives to the truths laid out in revealed scriptures.
This is, of course, insane.
Humanism is a different view of reality. Humanism posits that there is no supernatural entity out there in the universe, and that it is human beings who must work and strive to make our world a better place simply because the alternative is unpleasant. Using reason, understanding change, and accepting the wide variety and range of human cultures and behaviors, humanism counsels us to live together peacefully, to work cooperatively, and to embrace the inherent worth and dignity of all people. Science and rationalism, not supernaturalism and fantasy, should guide our actions.
As I read this book, I kept thinking about Star Trek. In Gene Roddenberry's imagined future, a united humanity goes forth into the universe to explore for no other reason than the joy and wonder of exploration. I kept thinking about the world before the Federation and Star Fleet came into existence: wars and starvation and environmental degradation until, finally, mankind evolved--intellectually, spiritually, culturally--into a species that wanted to explore the universe. It seems to me that humanism is a far better, far more efficacious philosophy to guide us toward a positive future than is religion.
The thought of a godless universe is scary. The thought of human flourishing, of exploration, and of peace and acceptance, is exhilarating. The science fiction author Arthur C. Clarke wrote a book with a title that seems perfect for the dawning age of humanism: Childhood's End. As we face, for the first time in the history of our species, planetary challenges that will force us to recognize the limitations of our religions, our cultures, and our philosophies, I hope that it is humanism that will guide our evolution toward what we can become, if only we recognize that the childhood of mankind does in fact need to end.
I am giving this book four stars because it was poorly edited.
This is, of course, insane.
Humanism is a different view of reality. Humanism posits that there is no supernatural entity out there in the universe, and that it is human beings who must work and strive to make our world a better place simply because the alternative is unpleasant. Using reason, understanding change, and accepting the wide variety and range of human cultures and behaviors, humanism counsels us to live together peacefully, to work cooperatively, and to embrace the inherent worth and dignity of all people. Science and rationalism, not supernaturalism and fantasy, should guide our actions.
As I read this book, I kept thinking about Star Trek. In Gene Roddenberry's imagined future, a united humanity goes forth into the universe to explore for no other reason than the joy and wonder of exploration. I kept thinking about the world before the Federation and Star Fleet came into existence: wars and starvation and environmental degradation until, finally, mankind evolved--intellectually, spiritually, culturally--into a species that wanted to explore the universe. It seems to me that humanism is a far better, far more efficacious philosophy to guide us toward a positive future than is religion.
The thought of a godless universe is scary. The thought of human flourishing, of exploration, and of peace and acceptance, is exhilarating. The science fiction author Arthur C. Clarke wrote a book with a title that seems perfect for the dawning age of humanism: Childhood's End. As we face, for the first time in the history of our species, planetary challenges that will force us to recognize the limitations of our religions, our cultures, and our philosophies, I hope that it is humanism that will guide our evolution toward what we can become, if only we recognize that the childhood of mankind does in fact need to end.
I am giving this book four stars because it was poorly edited.
March 19, 2011
A general introduction to what Humanism is. This is the book sent to anyone who joins the American Humanist Association. If you know nothing of Humanism this is a good place to start. Seek other books if you are looking for a more in-depth discussion about Humanism.
May 3, 2013
Many people do not understand what humanism is and many that think they do have in incomplete or incorrect understanding of it. This book serves as a highly readable primer on humanism. The authors explain it objectively and do not put down other world views in the process. I recommend this book to anyone that is religious and does not understand why someone would not want to be religious. There are many misconceptions about humanists. I have heard countless people say that life just does not make any sense without belief in God\Allah, etc. Those people often believe non-theists are amoral and live by an "anything goes" philosophy. On the contrary, humanists are highly ethical and believe in doing right because it is right. According to the last census there are far more people self-identifying as non-theists than those that belong to non-denominational Protestant churches. And there are about as many non-religious people as Baptists in the United States. The non-religious are the fastest growing belief system demographic in the country today. This book seeks to bridge the gap of misunderstanding between the non-religious and religious.
April 18, 2014
I am still learning about humanism as philosophy, and find it profoundly satisfying if not sensible. This book give a good overview of where humanism came from and what it's about, but I felt it was a bit more involved with the history and adherents as justification rather than how humanism can advance civilization. It's worth a read, but I hope future editions will go more in depth and cover humanist applications to daily life and modern problems.
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August 26, 2011Far to the left
May 17, 2013
Sounds about right!
January 22, 2011
LOVE THIS BOOK. Could change the world if more people read it :>
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews