What is the Philosophy of Humanism?

This is a meeting of the Bay Area Humanists. What then is a Humanist, and what is the Philosophy of Humanism? Martin Squibbs will lead a discussion exploring these questions :-

1. What are universal Humanistic values? Do such values exist and where do they come from?

2. How do we apply our values? Can our values be resolved into future goals for humanity – ie visions, missions, and objectives for Human Kind?

• How do we assess the current/immediate versus future costs and benefits of our actions to ourselves and others? (and to what extent should “others” include other sentient beings).

• How do we measure and judge the emotional costs and benefits versus the material costs and benefits of our actions?

3. Can Science define what is right or wrong, moral or immoral, and good or bad? (ie Science informs us how to shape reality according to our wishes, but can it tell us what we should wish, and when, and why?).

4. Can religious people (ie people with spiritual and/or supernatural beliefs) share our values and future goals and/or be Humanists and/or can we work with them to further our common Earthy visions for humanity.

After the discussion we will go to a nearby restaurant for dinner.

Martin was born in the UK, living in Wales and England and gaining a Masters in Business and EE from Imperial College, London. He moved to San Jose, California, in 1994, and has spend the last 19 years living in San Jose and working for Atmel, a semi-conductor company, in engineering, marketing and business development roles. Since the late 90’s he has been involved with the Humanist Community in Silicon Valley, currently holding the position of Vice President of the Board, and aside from Humanism, is interested in Neuroscience and the Mind, our environment, macro-economics and social justice.

If you want to find out more about the Bay Area Humanists check out our website (http://www.sfhumanists.org) or Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/bayareahumanists) page. If you have questions, e-mail (bayarea@sfhumanists.org) us.