The Humanist philosophy and movement

Philosophy of Humanism
Humanism is a philosophy of life inspired by humanity and guided by reason. It provides the basis for a fulfilling and ethical life without religion. Humanists make sense of the world using reason, experience and shared human values.

Adherents

Humanist philosophies have arisen separately in many different cultures over thousands of years. Non-theistic and non-religious people who accept Humanist principles are now the world’s fastest growing belief group. According to the World Encyclopedia of Christianity, “the number of nonreligionists …. throughout the 20th century has skyrocketed from 3.2 million in 1900, to 697 million in 1970, and on to 918 million in AD 2000”

Definitions of Humanism

• “Humanism is a democratic and ethical life stance that affirms that human beings have the right and responsibility to give meaning and shape to their own lives. It stands for the building of a more humane society through an ethics based on human and other natural values in a spirit of reason and free inquiry through human capabilities. It is not theistic, and it does not accept supernatural views of reality.”  IHEU ‘Minimum Statement of Humanism’
• "...seeking, without religion, the best in, and for, human beings." Chambers Pocket Dictionary
• "...a doctrine, attitude, or way of life centered on human interests or values; especially: a philosophy that usually rejects supernaturalism and stresses an individual's dignity and worth and capacity for self-realization through reason." Merriam Webster Dictionary
• "...an appeal to reason in contrast to revelation or religious authority as a means of finding out about the natural world and destiny of man, and also giving a grounding for morality... Humanist ethics is also distinguished by placing the end of moral action in the welfare of humanity rather than in fulfilling the will of God." Oxford Companion to Philosophy
• "The rejection of religion in favor of the advancement of humanity by its own efforts." Collins Concise Dictionary
• "That which is characteristically human, not supernatural, that which belongs to man and not to external nature, that which raises man to his greatest height or gives him, as man, his greatest satisfaction." Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences
• "A system of thought that centers on humans and their values, capacities, and worth." American Heritage Dictionary

For more information. visit www.iheu.org/