Meaning and Value in a Secular Age: Why Eupraxsophy Matters - The Writings of Paul Kurtz

by Nathan Bupp (Editor)

The secular age has confronted human beings with a fundamental challenge. While the naturalistic worldview rooted in science has persuasively shown that traditional religious conceptions of the universe are unsustainable, it has so far offered no compelling secular narratives to replace the religious narratives so entrenched in civilization. In the absence of religion, how do thoughtful contemporary individuals find meaning in a secular world?In this book, philosopher Paul Kurtz argues for a new approach that he calls eupraxsophy. Kurtz first coined the term in 1988 to characterize a secular orientation to life that stands in contrast to religion. Derived from three ancient Greek roots, eupraxsophy literally means "good practice and wisdom." Drawing upon philosophy, science, and ethics, eupraxsophy provides a thoroughly secular moral vision, which respects the place of human values in the context of the natural world and presents an empirically responsible yet hopeful picture of the human situation and the cosmos in which we abide. Editor Nathan Bupp has conveniently gathered together Kurtz's key writings about the theory and practice of eupraxsophy for the first time in this volume.Written with eloquence and scope, these incisive essays show how Kurtz's brand of humanism moves above and beyond the current "new atheism." Eupraxsophy successfully bridges the cultural divide between science and value and provides a genuine and constructive alternative to religion. Bupp's informative introductionplaces the concept of eupraxsophy in historical perspective and shows why it is critically important, and relevant, today.

Genres: Philosophy

362 pages, Paperback

First published June 26, 2012

Reviews

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Eupraxsophy" is a term for ethical philosophy that emphasizes the good practice of wisdom as opposed to the simple "love of wisdom" (literal meaning of the word "philosophy"). This is an excellent book on Kurtz's brand of ethical philosophy and one that I have added to my list of favorites. Kurtz advocates the active practice of ethics as opposed to simple study or discussion of the same. Ethics is meaningless if it is not put to use in the living of everyday life. Humans have the capacity of genuine free will in the many choices they make within the range of possibilities available to them as they go through life. And it is possible to live a better, more meaningful life, if one carefully considers the different options available and chooses wisely in the process. This is an excellent book, one that I highly recommend for anyone who doesn't think ethical living requires a belief in any god.