Perhaps the best way to begin to understand just exactly what Humanism is would be to simply refer to the most important Humanist document. That is the Humanist Manifesto III. I am quoting the document in its entirety because I think it is critical for an understanding of where Humanism is today. After the document I will add my comments on various components of the document and attempt to highlight their significance. I think it would be very difficult for any intelligent, reasonable and moral person to take issue with anything here other than the refusal to accept supernatural explanations for quite natural occurrences and promote beliefs without evidence. Otherwise, everything in this document is what a good person ought to aspire to.  

“Humanism is a progressive philosophy of life that, without supernaturalism, affirms our ability and responsibility to lead ethical lives of personal fulfillment that aspire to the greater good of humanity.

The life stance of Humanism—guided by reason, inspired by compassion, and informed by experience—encourages us to live life well and fully. It evolved through the ages and continues to develop through the efforts of thoughtful people who recognize that values and ideals, however carefully wrought, are subject to change as our knowledge and understandings advance.

This document is part of an ongoing effort to manifest in clear and positive terms the conceptual boundaries of Humanism, not what we must believe but a consensus of what we do believe. It is in this sense that we affirm the following:

Knowledge of the world is derived by observation, experimentation, and rational analysis. Humanists find that science is the best method for determining this knowledge as well as for solving problems and developing beneficial technologies. We also recognize the value of new departures in thought, the arts, and inner experience—each subject to analysis by critical intelligence.

Humans are an integral part of nature, the result of unguided evolutionary change. Humanists recognize nature as self-existing. We accept our life as all and enough, distinguishing things as they are from things as we might wish or imagine them to be. We welcome the challenges of the future, and are drawn to and undaunted by the yet to be known.

Ethical values are derived from human need and interest as tested by experience. Humanists ground values in human welfare shaped by human circumstances, interests, and concerns and extended to the global ecosystem and beyond. We are committed to treating each person as having inherent worth and dignity, and to making informed choices in a context of freedom consonant with responsibility.

Life’s fulfillment emerges from individual participation in the service of humane ideals. We aim for our fullest possible development and animate our lives with a deep sense of purpose, finding wonder and awe in the joys and beauties of human existence, its challenges and tragedies, and even in the inevitability and finality of death. Humanists rely on the rich heritage of human culture and the life stance of Humanism to provide comfort in times of want and encouragement in times of plenty.

Humans are social by nature and find meaning in relationships. Humanists long for and strive toward a world of mutual care and concern, free of cruelty and its consequences, where differences are resolved cooperatively without resorting to violence. The joining of individuality with interdependence enriches our lives, encourages us to enrich the lives of others, and inspires hope of attaining peace, justice, and opportunity for all.

Working to benefit society maximizes individual happiness. Progressive cultures have worked to free humanity from the brutalities of mere survival and to reduce suffering, improve society, and develop global community. We seek to minimize the inequities of circumstance and ability, and we support a just distribution of nature’s resources and the fruits of human effort so that as many as possible can enjoy a good life.

Humanists are concerned for the wellbeing of all, are committed to diversity, and respect those of differing yet humane views. We work to uphold the equal enjoyment of human rights and civil liberties in an open, secular society and maintain it is a civic duty to participate in the democratic process and a planetary duty to protect nature’s integrity, diversity, and beauty in a secure, sustainable manner.

Thus, engaged in the flow of life, we aspire to this vision with the informed conviction that humanity has the ability to progress toward its highest ideals. The responsibility for our lives and the kind of world in which we live is ours and ours alone.”

          One of the first things I notice upon reading this document for the second time is the repeated use of the terms ‘ability’ and ‘responsibility’. Interestingly enough, both words end with ‘ibility’, which is a suffix used to convert adjectives into nouns. That concludes our language lesson for today. LOL!

          So, key components of Humanism are ability and responsibility. Essentially that means that we can and should do something. That something is laid out in the document as well.

          Let’s begin by looking at the first paragraph of the manifesto.      

          It includes the following: “…our ability and responsibility to lead lives of personal fulfillment that aspire to the greater good of humanity.”

          This one sentence captures everything we need to know about Humanism apart from its avoidance of any reliance upon the supernatural.

          It claims that we are capable and responsible for our own lives (that would include our own happiness and personal growth) as well as the condition of humanity at large.

          What could any intelligent and moral person find in that to take exception to or disagree with? Certainly nothing comes to my mind.

          Next we are told how we are to go about fulfilling our obligation or responsibility.

          “…guided by reason, inspired by compassion and informed by experience.”

          This triad forms a perfect base for discovering all that is worth knowing and may be known about ourselves and the universe we inhabit.

          Next our place and historical path are pointed to. “Humans are an integral part of nature, the result of unguided evolutionary change.”

          Here we are viewed as not apart from nature but a part of it. Also, we cam to be as the result of what Richard Dawkins referred to as ‘design without a designer’.

          Next we are informed that Humanists prefer “…distinguishing things as they are from things as we might wish or imagine them to be.”

          It is noteworthy how this chosen position distinguishes Humanists from much of humanity which prefers to embrace their wishes and imaginings rather than the often harshness of reality.

          Next Humanists are “committed to … making informed choices in a context of freedom consonant with responsibility.” Here again we see responsibility as a key element in Humanist philosophy.

          Being informed is a value as is freedom and responsibility. We might even say that Humanist believe that we have a responsibility to be well informed and to ‘serve and protect’ freedom at every opportunity.

          Finally, “The responsibility for our lives and the kind of world in which we live is ours and ours alone.”   

          ‘If it’s to be it’s up to me.’ We cannot blame others for our own lives or humanity in general. This is true personal responsibility.

          I have never come across a document that more clearly and completely elucidated what it means to be human and how we should conduct ourselves as a result.

          Let’s now take a brief survey of the histories of atheism, free thinking and Humanism.