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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: "Are we losing our humanity?" introduced by Richard Dowsett

As I have cruised the internet over the past months, I have come across this question more and more: “Are we losing our humanity?” Searching this question on YouTube brings up 50+ (I stopped counting at 50) video commentaries, interviews and panel discussions.
On another front, the Humanist Society of Greater Phoenix have begun collaborating with Arizona State University on Project Humanities. #1 on the Project Humanities ‘Top 10 Questions’ is “Are we losing our humanity?”
So, let’s add The HAT Forum to the legion of curious questioners on YouTube, Reddit, Substack, and all media, social, new and legacy, who are exploring the matter.

  1. What do we mean by “our humanity”? Do we mean everything (the good, the bad and the ugly) that makes us human and distinguishes us from other species and future forms of consciousness that could arise from AI? Or are we thinking more about humanity as “humaneness” – the positive side of our nature? Two very separate threads of inquiry.
  2. How exactly are we losing whatever aspect you identify that is key to “our humanity”? What are we losing it to? What are the indications that this loss is happening?
  3. What are the antidotes to this loss? How can we arrest or reverse it?
  4. How has the concept of “our humanity” changed over time? Is it possible that what we view as a loss of our humanity is just the latest in a series of changes in how we express our humanity?
    Selected Resources
    Dana Milbank column, Washington Post **KEY ARTICLE, RECOMMENDED
    [We are losing our humanity ARTICLE July 25 2025.docx](https://1drv.ms/w/c/c7ce9a76f7f5812e/EVM4Z-dvy9hOmah6pWp6LSMB7Rv7wlf11iitNeJX5YaJHQ?e=Z562Tr)
    Humanity as credibility and integrity in our dealings with others
    We are losing our humanity TEDx Talk
    Humanity as individuality – the substitution of AI competence, speed and polish for any chance of real insight, true creativity or authentic individuality
    Are we losing our humanity? Mike Helfman's Curiosity
    Humanity as the qualitative aspects – lived and shared experience, qualia.
    Are we losing our humanity with measurements?

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/)

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