CLH Discussions: What Do You Mean By 'Humanism'?

What do you mean by 'humanism'?

Asked what humanism is, most humanists will have a pat response, probably taken from the UK website - something to do with reason and empathy. But digging deeper, is there really one type and nature of humanist?

On closer inspection this movement has many faces, but which one/s represent you and which ones represent the best way forward if humanism is going to grow?

Aspects of humanism

Rational freethinking
Being unencumbered by dogma and therefore free to explore natural phenomena through the lens of reason and empiricism is almost ubiquitous with humanists, although some have reservations about tipping over into scientism. And what about humanist spirituality?

Disputing religion
‘New Atheists’ may have gone out of fashion but they certainly put bums on seats and sold a lot of books. Some may hanker for the return of those glory days, while others shudder at the confrontational fervour. But tackling religious privilege with reasonable arguments remains important. How much emphasis should be put on this, or should we stress our own positive ideas and values?

Freedom from religion
A lot of people come to humanism while escaping highly committed or controlling religions and/or oppression. This is a fantastic public service but how many people coming to humanism out of desperation will stay?
Human rights campaigners

Humanism has a strong tradition of taking up the cause of the persecuted and the marginalised. Is this distinctive or are we simply part of the human rights movement? It's hard to argue that this isn’t important but is it enough to define us?

Ethical thinkers
What underpins the drive for social justice? We’ve developed a variety of natural and cultural arguments for goodness but this throws up some challenges; notably, are we…

Libertarians or Communitarians
Should humanists put the stress on personal freedom and liberty or is that a form of dogma? Are we better off thinking in terms of society and collective values?

Digital or face-to-face
We now have the most efficient, well organised and funded national humanist body in the UK that has ever existed. Numbers of members and supporters top 110,000 and growing. But this is largely an online phenomenon, with HUK lobbying government and fighting online campaigns. What of the movement out in the country? This seems to be ageing and shrinking. Do we need flourishing local groups which foster a sense of community and fellowship, or is it more effective and realistic to develop wider awareness and allegiance via digital?

What would you add to this list of aspects of humanism?

Which of these aspects of humanism appeal to you? Are there other aspects not mentioned here which matter to you? How do you think humanism should develop, if you think it should?

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Date: Thursday 14 December 2023
Time: 7pm - 8:30pm
Venue: Zoom (link will be provided)
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References and Suggested Reading

What is humanism? Humanists International definition
https://humanists.international/what-is-humanism/humanism-a-global-and-human-tradition/?msclkid=552d5cb1c12b15e9e70d39ded0d4c9e2

Manifesto on the future of humanism from Humanistically Speaking
https://www.humanisticallyspeaking.org/post/exclusive-manifesto-on-the-future-of-humanism-launched
https://selondon.humanist.org.uk/manifesto-on-the-future-of-humanism/

Humanism as a coherent political worldview, Paul Mason
https://www.irishnews.com/arts/2020/03/25/news/no-future-journalist-and-author-paul-mason-on-how-people-power-can-fight-our-current-political-and-economic-crises-1877265/

Post-humanism
https://www.perlego.com/knowledge/study-guides/what-is-posthumanism/

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