Humanism

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Recommended: Short note on humanism

Defined by Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary as a system of values and beliefs that is based on the idea that people are basically good and that problems can be solved using reason instead of religion (Merriam-Webster), Humanism takes an ethical and philosophical stance that is expressed through a myriad of types including Literary Humanism, Renaissance Humanism, Western Cultural Humanism, Philosophical Humanism, Christian Humanism, Modern Humanism, Secular Humanism, and Religious Humanism (American Humanist Association). Though there are many different “denominations”, if you will, of Humanism, they are all typically aligned with secularism and a perspective that believes in “human nature”, or how humans naturally think, feel, and act.

The origin and history of humanism is complex because of the vague nature of the belief system. Humanism, first coined Humanismus, was employed by a Bavarian educator, Friedrich Immanuel Niethammer, to describe the classical curriculum he planned to introduce to German secondary schools and by 1856 Humanism had gained a universal acceptance (Wikipedia). This humanism is now referred to as Renaissance Humanism which is the type of Humanism that envelops the spirit of learning and the revival of classical letters that birthed a new confidence in mankind to determine truth and mendacity (American Humanist).

Because humanism developed as a general consensus between other belief systems, it is difficult to place limits and “rules” on what humanists believe; however, it is agreed upon that the humanist mentality is a midway point between medieval supernaturalism and modern scientific and critical mind-set (Renaissance Humanism). Because humanism places such a high emphasis on human nature, Gods are n...

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...fs (American Humanist).

Humanists principles on how to think and determine ethics can be defined in the following:

• Need to test beliefs

• Using reason, evidence, scientific method to find answers

• Fulfillment, growth, creativity

• Search for truth

• Emphasis on this life

• Maintaining good ethics

• Justice and fairness

• Building a better world

These distinctives embody humanism principles and provide a general consensus on how to live and interact with the concepts of the world.

Through the evolution of the Humanism religion, changes have been brought about to maintain an updated version of thinking for those identifying as Humanists. Whether members identify as Christian Humanists, Secular Humanists, or Modern Humanists, they all agree on the idea that we are here on this Earth to serve humanity and leave Earth better than as we found it.

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