Tenets of Humanism: Intro to Naturalism

Are you new to humanism? Or, not exactly sure what contemporary humanism represents? Do you want to explore the humanist lifestance for yourself? Or are you interested in learning how to explain humanism to others? If any of those apply, then this three part series surveying the basic tenets of humanism is for you.

Session One: Intro to Naturalism (July 28th)

Session Two: Intro to Ethics (August 25th)

Session Three: Intro to Meaning and Mattering (September 22nd)

Participants are encouraged to come to all three of the sessions, but folks are welcome to come as they are able. Each session will begin with an overview of one salient aspect of humanism followed by group discussion. Please note that this is not an academic course, but a review of contemporary humanism as understood and practiced by a growing number of people affiliated with such organizations as the American Humanist Association and the Council for Secular Humanism.

Description of Session One: Intro to Naturalism

We begin this series on Humanism by looking at the naturalist worldview which lays the foundation for modern day humanism. While non-theistic perspectives have always been present in human thinking across the globe, the Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment of Western Europe ushered in a new age of human reason and ways of knowing. In this session, we will review the scientific explanations and philosophical developments that changed the focus of our attention from the supernatural to the natural, as well as consider non-western influences on contemporary naturalism.

Description of Session Two: Intro to Ethics

This session we will focus on the ethical imperative of humanism and disentangle ethics from religion. We will explore the moral theories and principles that lay the foundation of the humanist outlook and the concept of moral relativity. As interest arises, we will compare and contrast humanist ethics with liberal religious and spiritual traditions as well as identify differences from non-theist, agnostic and atheist worldviews. Come explore the heart of humanism.

Description of Session Three: Intro to Meaning and Mattering

We are the products of an un-designed, evolutionary process. What meaning or purpose can there be to our lives? Do our lives really matter? Many people look to religion for answers. As humanists and naturalists, we accept that humans create their own meaning. In the last session of this series, we will look at what the Humanist lifestance--with its naturalist worldview and ethical commitments--contributes to individual mattering and the pursuit of meaning.