Reason/s & Belief

humanity must seek for truth through reason and the best observable evidence

decisions about right and wrong must be based on the individual and common good

Secular humanism is a secular ideology that espouses reason, ethics, and justice, whilst specifically rejecting supernatural and religious dogma as a basis of morality and decision-making.

living up to one's potential is hard work and requires the help of others

The focus is on doing good and living well in the here and now, and leaving the world a better place for those who come after.

a comprehensive life stance or world view which embraces human reason, metaphysical naturalism, altruistic morality and distributive justice

Humanism is a democratic and ethical life stance, which 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 ethic based on human and other natural values in the spirit of reason and free inquiry through human capabilities.

Humanism aims at the fullest possible development of every human being

Humanism supports democracy and human rights

rights to individual self-determination, human rights and freedom of belief

a life stance rooted in rational thinking

Humanism insists that personal liberty must be combined with social responsibility

The similarities between the beliefs and values of the different groups - even ‘secular’ and ‘religious’ Humanists - is more fundamental and more important than the different groups

humanism Humanism is a democratic and ethical life stance, which 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 ethic based on human and other natural values in the spirit of reason and free inquiry through human capabilities. It is not theistic, and it does not accept supernatural views of reality. See also the Amsterdam Declaration.

Humanism is undogmatic, imposing no creed upon its adherents. It is thus committed to education free from indoctrination.

fundamental principles of modern Humanism

an alternative to dogmatic religion

Humanists promote free inquiry which is the basis of the scientific spirit

Humanism ventures to build a world on the idea of the free person responsible to society, and recognises our dependence on and responsibility for the natural world

seeks to use science creatively

Humanism is rational

Amsterdam Declaration

where people do feel that their beliefs are ‘Humanist’ they should use the word

humanist A person who adheres to or advocates humanism, a democratic and ethical life stance, which affirms that human beings have the right and responsibility to give meaning and shape to their own lives.

Humanism is ethical. It affirms the worth, dignity and autonomy of the individual and the right of every human being to the greatest possible freedom compatible with the rights of others.

Humanists believe that the solutions to the world's problems lie in human thought and action

Humanism recognises that reliable knowledge of the world and ourselves arises through a continuing process. of observation, evaluation and revision.

ethics grounded in human values

Humanists aim for a social order in which individual freedom and dignity, social justice, fundamental rights and the rule of civilised law are protected

the outcome of a long tradition of free thought

human beings have the right and responsibility to give meaning and shape to their own lives

Humanism is a democratic and ethical life stance

Humanism advocates the application of the methods of science and free inquiry to the problems of human welfare

the official defining statement of World Humanism

human rights Universal rights to which every person is entitled

rationalism The view that knowledge is aquired through reason, without the aid of the senses. Perhaps the best example of such knowledge would be mathematical knowledge, but rationalists typically argue that many other important truths can also be grasped by reason.

Humanists have a duty of care to all of humanity including future generations.

fundamentals of modern Humanism

freethought An intellectual and cultural movement. A freethinker is a religious unbeliever who forms his or her judgments about religion using reason rather than relying on tradition, authority, faith, or established belief.

justified by a moral standard that stands above the laws of any individual nation

secularism A neutral attitude, especially of the State, local government and public services, in matters relating to religion; non-religious rather than anti-religious.

Humanists believe that morality is an intrinsic part of human nature based on understanding and a concern for others, needing no external sanction.

Humanists consider human experience to be the only source of knowledge and ethics

It stands for the building of a more humane society through an ethic based on human and other natural values in the spirit of reason and free inquiry through human capabilities

the application of science and technology must be tempered by human values

Humanism values artistic creativity and imagination and recognises the transforming power of art. Humanism affirms the importance of literature, music, and the visual and performing arts for personal development and fulfilment.

Humanists believe in intellectual integrity, and do not allow custom to replace conscience

Science gives us the means but human values must propose the ends

skeptic A philosophical position in which people choose to critically examine whether the knowledge and perceptions that they have are actually true, and whether or not one can ever be said to have absolutely true knowledge

rationalist Rationalists believe that reason alone is sufficient to gain knowledge of the world.

Humanism is a lifestance aiming at the maximum possible fulfilment through the cultivation of ethical and creative living and offers an ethical and rational means of addressing the challenges of our times

Humanism can be a way of life for everyone everywhere

utilising free inquiry, the power of science and creative imagination for the furtherance of peace and in the service of compassion

we have the means to solve the problems that confront us all

We have a world to change. We need your help to change it!

people can find purpose in life and maximize their long-term happiness by developing their talents and using those talents for the service of humanity

human beings have the right and responsibility to give meaning and shape to their own lives

humanity must take responsibility for its own destiny

Humanists believe in and value love, equality, peace, freedom and reason

when people are free to think for themselves, using reason and knowledge as their tools, they are best able to solve this world's problems

the open society, standing for human rights and social justice

Humanists take responsibility for their own lives and relish the adventure of being part of new discoveries, seeking new knowledge, exploring new options

Affirming the dignity of each human being

Humanists stand for the building of a more humane, just, compassionate, and democratic society using a pragmatic ethics based on human reason, experience, and reliable knowledge-an ethics that judges the consequences of human actions by the well-being of all life on Earth.

humans have the freedom to give meaning, value, and purpose to their lives by their own independent thought, free inquiry, and responsible, creative activity

Humanism considers the universe to be the result of an extremely long and complex evolution under immutable laws of nature

Humanists seek to understand the universe by using science and its methods of critical inquiry-logical reasoning, empirical evidence, and skeptical evaluation of conjectures and conclusions-to obtain reliable knowledge

The rights of men and women should be equal and sacred

the lack of any evidence for an afterlife means this life should be lived as though it's the only one we have

When the subjects involve governmental issues, all of society can be affected

Humanity’s condition could be greatly improved if those resources were used for solving the world's problems instead of worshiping a nonexistent God.

Logically, if two statements are contradictory, at least one of them is false.

the suffering of the innocent is the essence of injustice