Humanism

Humanism

The word “humanism” has a number of meanings, and because there are so many

different meanings it can be quite confusing if you don't know what kind of

humanism someone is talking about.

Literary Humanism is a devotion to the humanities or literary culture.

Renaissance Humanism is the spirit of learning that developed at the end of the

middle ages with the revival of classical letters and a renewed confidence in

the ability of human beings to determine for themselves truth and falsehood.

Cultural Humanism is the rational and empirical tradition that originated

largely in ancient Greece and Rome, evolved through out European history, and

now constitutes a basic part of the Western approach to science, political

theory, ethics, and law.

Philosophical Humanism is any outlook or way of life centered on human need and

interest. Sub categories of this type include the two following.

Christian Humanism is defined by Webster's Third New International Dictionary as

“a philosophy advocating the self fulfillment of man within the framework of

Christian principles.” This more human oriented faith is largely a product of

the Renaissance and is a part of what made up Renaissance humanism.

Modern Humanism, also called Naturalistic Humanism, Scien- tific Humanism,

Ethical Humanism and Democratic Humanism is defined by one of its leading

proponents, Corollas Lamont, as “a naturalistic philosophy that rejects all

supernaturalism and relies primarily upon reason and science, democracy and

human compassion.” Modern Humanism has a dual origin, both secular and

religious, and these constitute its sub categories.

Secular Humanism is an outgrowth of 18th century enlightenment rationalism and

19th century freethought. Many secular groups, such as the Council for

Democratic and Secular Humanism and the American Rationalist Federation, and

many otherwise unaffiliated academic philosophers and scientists advocate this

philosophy.

Religious Humanism emerged out of Ethical Culture, Unitarianism, and

Universalism. Today, many Unitarian- Universalist congregations and all Ethical

Culture societies describe themselves as humanist in the modern sense.

The most critical irony in dealing with Modern Humanism is the

inability of its supporters to agree on whether or not this world veiw is

religious. The Secular Humanists believe it is a philosophy, where the

Religious Humanists obviously believe it is a religion. This has been going on

since the early years of the century where the Secular and Religious traditions

combined and made Modern Humanism.

Secular and Religious Humanists both share the same world views as shown by the

signing of the Humanist Manifestos I and II. The signers of the Manifestos were

both Secular and Religious Humanists.

To serve personal needs, Religious Humanism offers a basis for moral values, an

inspiring set of ideals , methods for dealing with life's harsher realities, a