Recently we came across the essay, Humanism & the Universe: Metaphysics of Humanist Philosophy, by Austin Cline, About.com: Agnosticism/Atheism. It is a very strong statement and, hence, a good place to begin exploring the principle set forth in the Humanist Manifesto III: "Humans are an integral part of nature, the result of unguided evolutionary change. Humanists recognize nature as self-existing. We accept our life as all and enough, distinguishing things as they are from things as we might wish or imagine them to be. We welcome the challenges of the future, and are drawn to and undaunted by the yet to be known."
The following are excerpts from the essay.
Many of the basic questions in metaphysics are centered around the reality we exist in - or, more specifically, the universe we exist in. What is it, why does it exist, and what fundamental nature does it have? The humanistic view of the universe is fundamentally naturalistic.
For humanists, the universe exists naturally and for itself rather than as an extension of any supernatural beings like gods, and it does not require the existence of beings like gods to explain its existence. Even religious humanists typically describe the universe as "self-existing and not created."
In addition, this understanding of the universe does not require us to seek supernatural aid - the naturalistic sciences, relying upon rational processes, provide us with what we need to know. As the Humanist Manifesto 2000 states: "Scientific research has expanded our knowledge of the universe and the place of the human species within it. Human inquiry is now able to advance and to have its findings confirmed by science and reason, while the metaphysical and theological speculations of the past have made little or no progress. The discoveries of astronomy, physics, relativity theory, and quantum mechanics have increased our understanding of the universe - from the scale of micro-particles to that of galaxies."
We are, of course, a part of the universe, but humanists don't treat humans as being a more "special" part of the universe than anything else - something which distinguishes humanist philosophy from many religious theologies which have existed in human history. We are a part of the universe attempting to understand the universe, but anything "special" about us lies in our minds alone....
.... humanists must acknowledge that nature and the universe are indifferent to humanity and human destiny. Because we are not special, there is no "effort" by the universe to seek us out either to help us or to harm us. This may not seem initially to be an especially important principle to adopt, but it does entail significant consequences for what we believe.
The Center for Naturalism is an important source of information for humanists in that it promotes science-based naturalism as a comprehensive worldview, a rational alternative to faith-based religions and other varieties of supernaturalism. Their website states that "The understanding that we are fully natural beings is the foundation for an effective approach to personal and social concerns, and highlights our intimate connection to the awe-inspiring universe described by science." Through its educational activities and initiatives, the Center develops constructive applications of naturalism, supports progressive social policy, and in collaboration with other secular groups, helps to build a community of naturalists.
Their resources include: a "Guide to Naturalism", a newsletter, and the publication, Encountering Naturalism: A Worldview and Its Uses. For more information, see www.centerfornaturalism.org or their companion website, Naturalism.Org, for further resources, background, articles and policy papers related to naturalism.
