"Humanism is a Philosophy For Those In Love With Life"

I was the guest speaker at a UU group on the Treasure Coast this past weekend. My topic, as always, was Humanism. I love this group and have several long time friends that are part of it.

Definitions of Humanism

There are several definitions of Humanism and how we conceive of Humanism has changed over time. Certainly over the time I've been involved with the movement. I like many of the simple definitions. Even though they are simple, they invite discussion on exactly what is meant.

One simple definition we came up with when I was the executive director of the Humanists of Florida was - "Humanism is the applied study of what it means to be a good human being."

My practice as a Humanist is to attempt to put my "Reason and Compassion into Action."

Joyful Humanism

As part of the closing statement for the UU meeting, the host used a definition I had never heard before and it struck me as being good. So good I immediately wrote it down. She said the Humanist Society of Western New York defines Humanism as a "philosophy for those in love with life." YES!!!!!!! One of the reasons I love being a Humanist is because it encourages me to be in love with life - the good and the bad. The entire experience. As my dad used to say, living sure beats the alternative.

Here is the full definition the Western NY group has on their website. 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

Learn More About Humanism

If you want to learn more about Humanism - I encourage you to read this - it's the 10 Humanist Commitments. I'm a big fan of them and congratulate Kristin Wintermute for facilitating it's creation.

#humanism, #ethicsmatter, #humanist, #commitment #aha #compassion #empathy #society

The 10 Humanist Commitments was created by the Center for Humanist Education (part of the American Humanist Association) - https://thehumanist.com/magazine/september-october-2019/features/living-humanist-values-the-ten-commitments 

Or Feel Free to take one of my online classes: 

https://humanistlearning.com/category/lifeskills/philosophy/

Or read one of these fine books: 

https://humanistlearning.com/category/shop/humanism101/

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What is Humanism?

 When people start learning about Humanism, they have a lot of questions. Often, those questions have to do with making sense of all the various related terms they come across. This primer will help you make sense of all the various terms, how they differ and provide you with links to resources to help you learn more.

Define Humanism:

Humanism is a philosophy that emphasizes the value and agency of human beings, individually and collectively, and generally prefers critical thinking and evidence over acceptance of dogma or superstition. It is a worldview that is based on the idea that humans have the potential for good and that we can create meaning and purpose for our lives.

Humanism can be seen as a non-religious response to the human condition, focusing on human potential and accomplishments rather than on divine intervention or supernatural phenomena. It is often associated with a secular, non-theistic approach to life, though not all humanists are atheists or agnostics.

Define Humanistic

The term humanistic refers to any idea, approach, or method that emphasizes human values, dignity, and potential. It can be applied to a wide range of fields, including education, psychology, and art.

In psychology, humanistic approaches emphasize the importance of personal growth, self-actualization, and subjective experience. This approach emphasizes the idea that each person has the capacity for personal growth and self-improvement, and that these goals can be achieved through self-reflection, personal development, and self-awareness.

In education, humanistic approaches emphasize the importance of the individual student, focusing on their needs, interests, and abilities. This approach emphasizes the idea that each student is unique, and that education should be tailored to the individual rather than to standardized curricula or testing.

Define Humanist

A humanist is a person who subscribes to the philosophy of humanism, which emphasizes the value and agency of human beings. Humanists generally believe in the potential of humans to create meaning and purpose for their lives without relying on supernatural or divine intervention. Humanists may be atheists, agnostics, or believers in a particular religion.

Define Secular Humanism

Secular humanism is a specific type of humanism that emphasizes reason, ethics, and human welfare. It is a worldview that is based on the idea that we can create a fulfilling life and just society through human reason and compassion, without relying on religious or supernatural beliefs. Secular humanism values critical thinking, science, and evidence-based decision-making, and emphasizes the importance of ethics and social justice.

Secular humanism can be seen as a response to the challenges of modern society, including the need for a more rational and compassionate approach to social and political issues. It is often associated with the belief that people should be free to live their lives according to their own values, as long as they do not harm others.

In Other words:

• Humanism is the philosophy
• Humanistic is the application of the philosophy
• A Humanist is a person who practices the philosophy
• Secular Humanism is a form of Humanism that emphasizes reason and reality based approaches. 

Learning More:

Learn more about the values of Humanism here: https://humanistlearning.com/whatishumanism/

My Favorite Books and Videos Explaining Humanism: https://humanistlearning.com/category/shop/humanism101/

Free 45 Minute Video Serious - an Introduction to Humanism: https://humanistlearning.com/an-introduction-to-humanism/

Free 20 Minute Video: What Does It Mean to Be a Humanist: https://humanistlearning.com/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-humanist/

And - if you are really motivated - a 6 hour video course on The Humanist Approach to Happiness: Living Made Simpler (This one can be rented for $15) - https://humanistlearning.com/livingmadesimpler1/

What is the point of being a Humanist?

I found a new writer I like/love. Their name is ML Clark and they are in Columbia right now.   They wrote an excellent essay - what is the point of being a Humanist in a mucked up world.

In their essay they say - #Humanism "recognizing when you are tired, and fed up, and cynical, and hurt, and wounded, and angry–all conditions in which it seems reasonable just to stop bothering–and then to make a concerted effort to keep bothering anyway.” 

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/anotherwhiteatheistincolombia/2020/02/humanist-mucked-up-world/

I like this approach to Humanism. It is realistic. It acknowledges that life is hard. And that being good - might not yield good results.  And yes - the point of Humanism is to make an effort to be good anyway.  This is something you do for you.

A while back, I posted an article about the 10 Humanist Commitments from the American Humanist Association.  These are commitments we make to ourselves in our attempt to be better people. This is about personal responsibility. What we can do to make our lives and the lives of the people we come in contact with - just a little bit better. https://humanisthappiness.blogspot.com/2019/10/the-10-commitments-of-humanism.html

As I read MLClark's essay - I was reminded of what my grandmother told me when I was little. She said I was put on this earth to love people. And that's what I've been doing ever since.  Every day - I try to love myself. Love my family. Love others. That's what my business is about too. Teaching people how to deal with difficult situations with love in their heart.  To me - this is what Humanism is about and it is what drives my approach. LOVE!

If you want to learn more - or - take a course on how to do this yourself visit my website at: https://humanistlearning.com/

The particular course I recommend is Living Made Simpler - https://humanistlearning.com/livingmadesimpler1/

What is Humanism and why is it so hard to define?

This question comes up periodically.  And by periodically - I mean all the time. Why? Because people are always in the process of discovering (or rather re-discovering) Humanism.

So - here are a couple of old essays of mine to help you out.

First? What is Humanism?  Is it a religion? A  philosophy or what?

http://sumogirl.com/sumowp/what-exactly-is-humanism/

To quote myself:
"Ultimately how Humanism is classified isn’t all that important unless, of course, you are a person with an agenda that depends entirely on whether Humanism is a religion or not. And if this describes you, you need to get a life.  … My Humanist perspective is that it doesn’t matter what we call it. What matters is that we are all striving to be ethical, compassionate responsible people. "

Second: A really good definition of Humanism:

http://sumogirl.com/sumowp/definition-of-humanism/

To quote the article which quotes progressive living magazine:
"Humanism is an anti-authoritarian philosophy that emphasizes the importance of reason and the indispensability of both evidence and compassion for others in the formation of values. Contemporary humanistic morality judges acts primarily on the basis of their affect upon other human beings. Humanists believe that the purposes of life are found in the meeting of human needs -intellectual, emotional, and spiritual-and in the fulfillment of human capabilities, mental and physical."

What are the main elements of Humanism?

http://sumogirl.com/sumowp/main-elements-of-humanism/

And again - for those with no intention of linking through to the actual article this list is from the Amsterdam Declaration:

1) Humanism is ethical
2) Humanism is rational
3) Humanism supports democracy and human rights
4) Humanism insists that personal liberty must be combined with social responsibility
5) Humanism is a response to the demand for an alternative to dogmatic religion
6) Humanism recognizes the transforming power of art – and the humanities
7) Humanism is a life stance

Strengthening Humanism

Debates about the limits of Humanism and how to strengthen Humanism

I have been volunteering with the International Humanistic Management Association (http://humanisticmanagement.international/).  At our recent meeting in NYC - I had the pleasure of meeting Chris Laszlo of the Weatherhead School of Management (https://weatherhead.case.edu/faculty/chris-laszlo).

He and I both recently published books. Mine on Applied Humanism (https://amzn.to/32GLbba) and him on Quantum Leadership (https://amzn.to/32IeJVT)

He gave me a really lovely review that included a critique of humanistic management. "I just finished reading your new book, Applied Humanism. I loved its clarity and straightforwardness. In many ways the writing is deceptively simple: the concepts and their applications are universal in appeal yet subtle in their implications for living and working in today’s world. Although I remain skeptical about some aspects, such as the reliance on what appears to be largely western science (physicalist, positivism) and the rejection of mysticism and spirituality, I learned a lot. In case of interest to you, I’m attaching a recent article that highlights what I see as some limitations of humanistic management."

Here is a link to his article: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs41463-019-00055-9

The article discusses what he likes about humanistic management and what he thinks the limitations are.  These include the idea that Humanism is a form of species-ism, That we need to move beyond the dichotomy of economistic vs. humanistic thinking in business and that Humanism is reductionist (ie: too much of a reliance on science as opposed to other ways of knowing).

As this is similar to a recent post I had about how debates about Humanism are rarely actually debates about Humanism and are usually just discussions about what Humanism should ideally be (https://humanisthappiness.blogspot.com/2019/07/the-meaning-and-legacy-of-humanism.html) I thought I'd include my response to his concerns here.  He appreciated this and responded to me - which I will include at the end.  What follows is basically a conversation about the whats and whys of Humanism.

My response: 

Thanks for sharing your paper Chris.  I see nothing inconsistent with your ideas of quantum flourishing and a humanistic approach.   It easily encompasses your ideas without altering its basic nature.  To me – I read your article and thought – yes, of course.

Here is how I think of my practice as a Humanist – I was born a human. My goal is to be the best human I can be. Humanism is the applied study of what it means to be a good human being.  You have studied that too – and came up with your quantum leadership ideas – which are excellent.  

Your critiques of humanistic management are totally accurate. When you brought them up at the meeting I thought – he gets it. He’s one of us! He just doesn’t know it yet.

So – to respond to your critiques:

Humanism is not species centric. The name sounds like it would be – but it’s not. Science teaches us that Humans are a part of nature, not apart from nature.  The idea that Humanism implies humans vs the rest of the natural world is a dualistic idea that usually comes from religious thinking. It’s not a humanistic idea. Also – the idea that humanism is dualistic to religion – is dualistic and not realistic.

We can chat more about that if you like as I have done a lot of writing on this exact issue. The point is that humanists tend to reject dualistic thinking as inaccurate thinking.

  

Your formulation of Humanistic Business Management is opposed to Economistic views of business is, again, dualistic. And I dislike that formulation as simplistic and inaccurate precisely because it is dualistic. So again, my response was – yes – you are correct.

  

Was it Pascal that said, Man does not achieve greatness by being at one extreme or another, but by touching both at once. Another great quote is – the opposite of a great truth – is often – another great truth.  Either or, dichotomies are not good ways to think about things. It leads to dualistic thinking. And you are correct – that’s not a good way to think about things, which is why I know very few humanists who think in terms of dualism. It’s more universalistic.   To me – the economistic model – has value. It’s not so much wrong as it is incomplete. Adding humanism to it – helps fill in the missing bits and makes us less wrong. But, as you point out, all models are incomplete. Which is why you want to add on the quantum stuff. And you are correct to do so and doing so will improve the model and consequently – make it more humanistic. Your add on – is the epitome of what humanists do. We strive to be less wrong. I’m sharing a post I wrote about this based on writing by a fellow Humanist Isaac Asimov.  http://humanisthappiness.blogspot.com/2012/01/how-being-less-wrong-is-actually-right.html

  

Humanism has no dogma and will never have a final – this is the way things work There will never be a final statement about what Humanism is and how we view the universe. Why? Because Humanism is the applied study of what it means to be a good human being. As we learn more and are less wrong, of course we are going to change how we think about things and go about doing good. What would be crazy – would be to not adjust our thinking. Flexibility and openness to new knowledge IS the hallmark of a Humanist mindset.

Finally, Humanism isn’t reductionist in a scientific sense. I forget which Humanist manifesto it is in – but Humanists are as much informed by science as we are by the arts.  You are correct – a strictly scientific approach is insufficient for a wide variety of reasons – that go beyond what you identified. Though to the points you are making, there are really lovely debates about the limits of human agency – and what is called swerve (uncertainty and indeterminism at an atomistic/quantum level) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Swerve.

I suspect that these debates will never go away – probably because the debate between determinism and indeterminism is a dualistic debate and the answer is probably that both are correct. Not either or.  In other words, our behavior and choices are both conditioned and determined and also indeterminate and open to change through choice simultaneously.  And I LOVE discussing these concepts. They are absolutely central to the idea of Humanism – which is – that humans have agency

I think of this mostly in terms of humanistic psychology and behavioral psychology because that false dichotomy is central to my work on how to stop bullying and harassment using both behavioral and humanistic techniques. Most modern psychologists no longer accept the old dichotomy. It’s both and …  Both the humanists and the behaviorists were right and a more accurate model of human psychology and behavior – incorporates both – not either or. http://humanisthappiness.blogspot.com/2018/08/humanist-vs-behaviorist-dialectic.html

Anyway – thanks foryour essay – I really enjoyed reading it.  And it obviously got me thinking some pretty deep thoughts – which I really enjoy doing. It reminded me of conversations I had with Edgar Mitchell who founded the Institute for Noetic Sciences. He was such a lovely man. http://www.sumogirl.com/sumomambo/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=839&Itemid=62

Chris's Response:

Thanks for your thoughtful reply. Synchronicity: this coming week I’m going to the IONS 2019 annual meeting and will be speaking on a panel about Noetic Leadership.

Your points about the inclusiveness of the humanistic and quantum leadership perspectives are well taken. In many cases, dualism doesn’t serve us. But with quantum science and its ontological implications, it’s not so much about dualism as it is about a paradigm shift. In the history of science, as you point out, there have been successive paradigms such as the transformation from the Ptolemaic to the Copernican model. Thomas Kuhn’s idea of science as a succession of paradigms seems to me hugely relevant today. Humanity is on the cusp of a new understanding of reality, one in which noetic science—including mystical and spiritual ways of knowing—will be better integrated. Edgar Mitchell would have been thrilled 😊

Elements of Humanism

I recently gave a talk to a Humanist group in Tallahassee.  We discussed the elements of Humanism and why they are included in the definition.

The American Humanist Association defines Humanism as a progressive philosophy of life that, without supernaturalism, affirms our ability and responsibility to lead ethical lives of personal fulfillment that aspire to the greater good of humanity.

Humanism is Progressive

We think we can do better - and that we should do better. We can always make progress and should never stop trying to make things better.

Humanism is without supernaturalism

This is more pragmatic than theological. We want solutions that actually work so we look for evidence to prove that things work. As my friend Edgar Mitchell once told me - there is no such thing as supernaturalism. If something happens - it is by definition, natural. There is no need to ever appeal to supernaturalism. People who do - just aren't willing to admit that they believe something that has no factual basis to support it.

Humanism is about Human Agency - we have the ability to make the world better.  

You don't have to be a victim of fate, you can do something to make the world better.

Humanism is about taking responsibility to make the world better. 

You are the change you want to see. Do it - be it and don't wait for others to make things better. It's your responsibility.

Humanism is about living an ethical life

The way to make the world a better place - is to be a better person.

Humanism is about personal fulfillment

 Life is to be lived. You have this one opportunity. Don't waste it. To paraphrase Albert Camus - if there is a sin in life, it must surely be hoping for another life while ignoring the implacable grandeur of this one. Live Life Fully!

Humanism is about working for the greater good of humanity. 

I lost count of how many times I used the word - "better" in this post.  Make the world better. Be a better person. All of this combines into helping the greater good of humanity. We strive to be ethical - not just for ourselves, but because being ethical contributes to the greater good of humanity. The idea that it's us vs the world is a false dichotomy and a dualistic way of viewing the world. We are the world. When we help the world, we are helping ourselves.

So live life fully, love other people and leave the world a better place. 

Being of Service to Others

Helping others is the heart of Humanism

Humanism is defined by the American Humanist Association as a progressive philosophy of life, that without supernaturalism affirms are ability and responsibility to lead ethical lives of personal fulfillment that aspires to the greater good of humanity.

While technically “aspiring” to the greater good doesn’t mean doing something to help the greater good, the bit about our ability and responsibility to work towards that makes it clear.  To be a Humanist is to be committed to work for the greater good of humanity.

How do we do this?  Well, you could work on grand large projects that would help humanity. But most of us are just average citizens with average abilities and average financial situations that may or may not allow us to take on big world changing projects.

What we all can do is make a conscious effort to help our friends and neighbors and the people in our communities.

I admit, I’m kind of bad at this myself. I help where I can but as a parent I seem to have way less time than I would like to volunteer to help others.  But I can watch a neighbor’s kid for an afternoon if they need someone to fill in.

Every little bit helps and every little bit makes the world a slightly less miserable place. So if all you can manage is a small act of kindness, do that. We don’t all have to be world changers. Sometimes it is enough to be a life changer.

How a Humanistic Perspective Changes Everything

To me, Humanism is all about compassion for my fellow humans.  This compassion isn’t always easy to muster given that my fellow humans aren’t always all that wonderful. Sometimes they are downright annoying, especially if you work in an office with cubicles and you can’t shut them out!

So what do I do when the ideal – humans are wonderful and deserving of respect and dignity meets up with the reality that is my fellow flawed humans?

First, I remind myself that I am also a flawed fellow human.  While I don’t normally quote scripture I like to remind myself of what Jesus said about those without sin casting the first stone. I need to be humble.  I am flawed and annoying too and if I cast stones, they will probably and rightly come right back at me.

Then I try to feel compassion for the annoying person despite my annoyance at them. I have no idea why they do what they do. I have no idea what their childhood was like. They can’t help it if their voice sounds like nails on a chalkboard. That’s my problem. Not theirs.. Perhaps I should cut them some slack for not being perfect.  After all, would I want someone complaining about my voice or some other aspect of myself I can’t really change? No.

Finally, I take a deep breath and remind myself that being a good person means being a nice person and I do my best to find ways to resolve my anxiety without unnecessarily or negatively impacting others. This is on me, not them.

For me, a humanistic perspective helps me to stop focusing on changing others and focus instead on changing myself. And I do this, by focusing on the other person.

One of my friends defines humanism as the art of seeing yourself in the lives of others. I think that’s a really powerful concept. It’s a variation on do unto others, but deeper. I can see myself in others so I can see that this other person is fully human just like I am.  And it’s this awareness of other people are real, that changes everything.