According to Nicholas Walter (1997), humanism is a philosophical and ethical stance grounded in the belief of the importance of the value and agency of human beings, individually and collectively, and relies on critical thinking and evidence (rationalism, empiricism) over acceptance of dogma or superstition. Furthermore, the British Humanist Association acknowledges humanism as grounded in the belief that the life we humans live is the only life that we have, that the universe is a natural phenomenon with no supernatural side, and that we can live ethical and fulfilling lives on the basis of reason and humanity. In humanism, the scientific method, evidence and human reasoning are relied upon to discover truths about the universe and places human welfare and happiness at the center of ethical decision making.
As a philosophical stance, humanism emphasizes on the intellectual capacities of man as a rational animal. Moreover, secular humanism rejects the notion of a higher spiritual being dominating the will and nature of man. This is summed up in the work of Ted Hendrich in his 1995 book The Oxford Companion to Philosophy wherein secular humanism is “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 …show more content…
Humanism promotes tolerance and human reasoning over religious and spiritual views. In the early years, religion has been the basis of everything. However, the new discoveries, accomplishments and experiences of mankind brought a dilemma to religion requiring a new rationale as to why religion exists. The nature of the universe depicted by modern science dispels any supernatural or cosmic guarantees of human values. Nowadays, people may consider religion as a
As a philosophical stance, humanism emphasizes on the intellectual capacities of man as a rational animal. Moreover, secular humanism rejects the notion of a higher spiritual being dominating the will and nature of man. This is summed up in the work of Ted Hendrich in his 1995 book The Oxford Companion to Philosophy wherein secular humanism is “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 …show more content…
Humanism promotes tolerance and human reasoning over religious and spiritual views. In the early years, religion has been the basis of everything. However, the new discoveries, accomplishments and experiences of mankind brought a dilemma to religion requiring a new rationale as to why religion exists. The nature of the universe depicted by modern science dispels any supernatural or cosmic guarantees of human values. Nowadays, people may consider religion as a