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
Humanism is an approach to life based on reason and our
common humanity, recognizing that moral values are properly
founded on human nature and experience alone. • The
Bristol Humanist Group
Humanism is: A joyous alternative to religions that
believe in a supernatural god and life in a hereafter. Humanists
believe that this is the only life of which we have certain
knowledge and that we owe it to ourselves and others to make it
the best life possible for ourselves and all with whom we share
this fragile planet. A belief that when people are free to think
for themselves, using reason and knowledge as their tools, they
are best able to solve this world's problems. An appreciation of
the art, literature, music and crafts that are our heritage from
the past and of the creativity that, if nourished, can
continuously enrich our lives. Humanism is, in sum, a philosophy
of those in love with life. Humanists take responsibility for
their own lives and relish the adventure of being part of new
discoveries, seeking new knowledge, exploring new options. Instead
of finding solace in prefabricated answers to the great questions
of life, humanists enjoy the open-endedness of a quest and the
freedom of discovery that this entails. • The Humanist
Society of Western New York
Humanism is the light of my life and the fire in my
soul. It is the deep felt conviction, in every fiber of my being
that human love is a power far transcending the relentless, onward
rush of our largely deterministic cosmos. All human life must seek
a reason for existence within the bounds of an uncaring physical
world, and it is love coupled with empathy, democracy, and a
commitment to selfless service which undergirds the faith of a
humanist. • Bette Chambers, former president of the
AHA
Humanism is a philosophy, world
view, or lifestance based on naturalism—the conviction that the
universe or nature is all that exists or is real. Humanism serves,
for many humanists, some of the psychological and social functions
of a religion, but without belief in deities, transcendental
entities, miracles, life after death, and the supernatural.
Humanists seek to understand the universe by using science and its
methods of critical inquiry—logical reasoning, empirical
evidence, and skeptical evaluation of conjectures and
conclusions—to obtain reliable knowledge. Humanists affirm that
humans have the freedom to give meaning, value, and purpose to
their lives by their own independent thought, free inquiry, and
responsible, creative activity. Humanists stand for the building
of a more humane, just, compassionate, and democratic society
using a pragmatic ethics based on human reason, experience, and
reliable knowledge—an ethics that judges the consequences of
human actions by the well-being of all life on Earth. •
Steven Schafersman
Humanism is a philosophy of life that considers the welfare of humankind
- rather than the welfare of a supposed God or gods - to be of paramount importance.
Humanism maintains there is no evidence a supernatural power ever needed or wanted
anything from people, ever communicated to them, or ever interfered with the laws
of nature to assist or harm anyone.
Humanism's focus, then, is on using human efforts to meet human needs and wants
in this world. History shows that those efforts are most effective when they involve
both compassion and the scientific method - which includes reliance on reason, evidence, and free inquiry.
Humanism says people can find purpose in life and maximize their long-term happiness by
developing their talents and using those talents for the service of humanity. Humanists
believe that this approach to life is more productive and leads to a deeper and
longer-lasting satisfaction than a hedonistic pursuit of material or sensual pleasures that soon fade.
While service to others is a major focus of Humanism, recreation and relaxation are not
ignored, for these too are necessary for long-term health and happiness. The key is moderation in all things.
Humanism considers the universe to be the result of an extremely long and complex evolution
under immutable laws of nature. Humanists view this natural world as wondrous and precious,
and as offering limitless opportunities for exploration, fascination, creativity, companionship, and joy.
Because science cannot now and probably never will be able to explain the ultimate origin or
destiny of the universe, I think Humanism can include more than atheists and agnostics. The lack of
definite answers to these ultimate questions leaves room for reasonable people to hypothesize about
the origin of the natural universe, and even to hope for some form of life beyond this one.
In fact, two of Humanism's greatest luminaries, Thomas Paine and Robert Ingersoll, maintained
a hope for an afterlife. On the issue of whether God exists, Ingersoll was agnostic, and Paine
believed in a deistic God who established the laws of nature but then stepped away and never intervenes
in the world. Those beliefs did not interfere with their ability to lead outstanding humanistic lives.
Thus, in my opinion, people holding such views can be Humanists if they believe that humanity is
on its own in this world, and the lack of any evidence for an afterlife means this life should be
lived as though it's the only one we have. • Joseph C. Sommer
