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Introduction to Modern Humanism, part 1

© Lynne H. Schultz

Since this is the first article of the Humanism section, it seems appropriate to start with a discussion of what Humanism is, what it is not, and how it came to be. There are several different unrelated, or loosely related uses of the word that, for the most part, will not be relevant to this site. So if you are looking for information on the devotion to literary culture (Literary Humanism), or self-fulfillment through Christian principles (Christian Humanism), this is not the site you want. The renewed confidence in human learning that occurred at the end of the Middle Ages (Renaissance Humanism) will only be discussed in the context of discussing historical precursors to Modern Humanism. Philosophical Humanism, any outlook based on human needs and interests, includes both Modern Humanism and Christian Humanism.

However, this site is about Modern Humanism, with Religious Humanism and Secular Humanism as its subcategories. (Christian Humanism is sometimes called Religious Humanism, but because it's theistic it is not the same as the Religious Humanism that is part of Modern Humanism.) Some people confuse humanitarianism or atheism with Modern Humanism. Although humanitarianism and a broadly defined atheism (nontheism) are both part of Modern Humanism, there is more to it than that. All Modern Humanists are humanitarians and nontheists, but not all humanitarians and nontheists are Modern Humanists.

Leading Modern Humanist Corliss Lamont defines Humanism as "a naturalistic philosophy that rejects all supernaturalism and relies primarily upon reason and science, democracy and human compassion." Humanists also believe that morals are discovered though experience, both personal and historical. We measure right and wrong in terms of their consequences to humans and other living things, rather than in terms of adherence to a scriptural code or "natural law". So there are three major components: naturalism, a moral system based on human needs, and scientific reasoning as the path to knowledge. Other important components that flow from Humanistic morality are commitments to: democracy, egalitarianism, the arts, our relationships to other people, and social progress.

Another commonly used brief definition of Humanism is the Minimum Statement on Humanism by the International Humanist and Ethical Union:

``Humanism is a democratic and ethical life stance, 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 ethic based on human and other natural values in the spirit of reason and free inquiry through human capabilities. It is not theistic, and it does not accept supernatural views of reality.''

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