Humanist Association of Toronto (HAT) Meetup Group

The Humanist Association of Toronto
http://www.humanisttoronto.ca/

Every Saturday we meet on Zoom to discuss a topic decided upon the previous week. These are topics of humanist interest, from a humanist perspective.

The topic of the discussion will be decided in a prior meeting, usually two weeks in advance. This week’s topic is: From Structural Narcissism to Humanist Ethics: A Dec 6 Reflection, Introduced by Brenda Sedgwick

Why Dec 6 Matters
December 6 marks the anniversary of the 1989 École Polytechnique massacre. It is a National Day of Remembrance for gender-based violence. The event is an extreme expression of a continuum of structural violence—from everyday dismissal and bureaucratic devaluation to explicit misogynistic harm.

***

Two Opposing Ethical Poles: Narcissism vs Humanism
1. Narcissistic / Dark Triad Orientation
Linked to exploitation, domination, and suppression of vulnerability. This includes:

• Narcissism: entitlement, lack of empathy
• Machiavellianism: manipulation, strategic deception
• Psychopathy: callousness, remorselessness

Structural equivalents (Weber, Goffman, Fromm, Mills):

• bureaucratic defensiveness
• rigid hierarchies
• image-protective cultures
• institutional blame-shifting

Results: Grooming, scapegoating, silencing dissent, rewarding control over care.

***

2. Humanist / Light Triad Orientation
The psychological and ethical counterpoint to narcissism. This includes:

• Humanism: inherent worth of each person
• Faith in Humanity: a belief in others' goodness
• Kantianism: treating people as ends, not means

Structural equivalents:

• cultures of repair, humility, and accountability
• reciprocal responsibility
• truth-telling and transparency
• relational rather than hierarchical ethics

Results: Attunement, collaboration, restoration, shared dignity.

***

Micro–Meso–Macro Lens

• Micro (Individual): interpersonal grooming, idealization, gaslighting, devaluation.
• Meso (Organization): bureaucratic rigidity, “iron cage,” institutional deflection, para-military “never admit error” cultures.
• Macro (Society): gendered violence, patriarchy, status hierarchies, systemic devaluation of marginalized voices.

Humanist ethics intervene at all three levels.

***

Red Flags and Double-Bind
Citizens and survivors are asked to identify danger signs:

• charm that feels too fast
• contradictory behaviour
• refusals to accept responsibility
• emotional coldness or hostility
• silencing, dismissing, or pathologizing concerns

Yet when individuals identify these patterns in institutions, they are often labelled “difficult,” “unstable,” or “fixated.” This is a structural double-bind.

***

Guiding Questions for Discussion

1. Continuum of Harm

How do everyday bureaucratic behaviours connect to extreme gender-based violence?
2. Structure vs Ethics

Where do narcissistic patterns show up in institutions, and how might humanist values counteract them?
3. The Pathologizing of Witnessing

Why are those who identify harm so often dismissed?
4. Humanist Cultures of Repair

What structural changes would reflect true humanist ethics?

Meet our diverse group, trade perspectives in a free and open forum and learn from others as they learn from you!

BTW: don't be concerned if there are not many RSVP’s. Many HAT members attend regularly but don’t sign up on Meetup. Our online meetings have been very popular with 20-30 attendees.

NOTE: The HAT Forum adheres strictly to the City of Toronto Policy on Non-Discrimination (http://www.the519.org/public/content/policy-files/The519SpaceUsePolicy.pdf)

Our Website (http://www.humanisttoronto.ca/)

NOTE: Please be sure to RSVP ahead of the event so we can properly prepare for participants. If by the Sunday prior we only have RSVP's from the organizers, then we will cancel the event but bounce back the next month for sure. Thank you.

The Humanist Association of Toronto Presents
http://www.humanisttoronto.ca/

Are you seeking a friendly, open-minded environment where you can chat about moving away from religious beliefs and doctrines?

Our Toronto monthly meet-up discusses past and present religious issues and looks at a positive life free of guilt, fear and shame-your new consciousness; beyond believing.

While the group is still dedicated to dealing with issues and questions revolving around religion and life-long impacts of spiritual/supernatural beliefs, it is also a place for those interested in exploring larger issues in a non-judgmental welcoming atmosphere.

It's a place for people to share their desire to throw away the burden of religious indoctrination and antiquated dogma.

Whether you are thinking of leaving your religion or are already living religion free, or you just wish to support others in this quest, join us.

We meet on the second Monday of each month at 7:00 pm.

The Humanist Association of Toronto
http://www.humanisttoronto.ca/

Every Saturday we meet on Zoom to discuss a topic decided upon the previous week. These are topics of humanist interest, from a humanist perspective.

The topic of the discussion will be decided in a prior meeting, usually two weeks in advance. This week’s topic is: TBA

Meet our diverse group, trade perspectives in a free and open forum and learn from others as they learn from you!

BTW: don't be concerned if there are not many RSVP’s. Many HAT members attend regularly but don’t sign up on Meetup. Our online meetings have been very popular with 20-30 attendees.

NOTE: The HAT Forum adheres strictly to the City of Toronto Policy on Non-Discrimination (http://www.the519.org/public/content/policy-files/The519SpaceUsePolicy.pdf)

Our Website (http://www.humanisttoronto.ca/)

The Humanist Association of Toronto
http://www.humanisttoronto.ca/

Every Saturday we meet on Zoom to discuss a topic decided upon the previous week. These are topics of humanist interest, from a humanist perspective.

The topic of the discussion will be decided in a prior meeting, usually two weeks in advance. This week’s topic is: TBA

Meet our diverse group, trade perspectives in a free and open forum and learn from others as they learn from you!

BTW: don't be concerned if there are not many RSVP’s. Many HAT members attend regularly but don’t sign up on Meetup. Our online meetings have been very popular with 20-30 attendees.

NOTE: The HAT Forum adheres strictly to the City of Toronto Policy on Non-Discrimination (http://www.the519.org/public/content/policy-files/The519SpaceUsePolicy.pdf)

Our Website (http://www.humanisttoronto.ca/)