Secular Humanism

A Secular Humanism is a philosophical stance that is an ethical framework emphasizing human well-being through reason and empirical methods while rejecting religious dogma and supernaturalism.

• AKA: Humanist Philosophy, Rational Humanism, Scientific Humanism.
• Context:
  • It can (typically) trace Historical Roots to Enlightenment rationalism advocating human reason over revelation for understanding and organizing society.
  • It can (typically) embrace Philosophical Naturalism attributing consciousness to brain processes and species origin to evolution rather than supernatural causes.
  • It can (often) construct Ethical Systems from reason, empathy, and human flourishing understanding, supporting democracy, secular governance, and critical thinking.
  • It can (often) emphasize Personal Agency for meaning creation through relationships, art, work, and altruism without divine reward expectations.
  • ...
  • It can range from being an Organized Secular Humanism to being an Individual Secular Humanism, depending on its institutional expression.
  • It can range from being a Militant Secular Humanism to being a Tolerant Secular Humanism, depending on its religious attitude.
  • It can range from being a Minimalist Secular Humanism to being a Comprehensive Secular Humanism, depending on its life coverage.
  • It can range from being an Optimistic Secular Humanism to being a Realistic Secular Humanism, depending on its human nature view.
  • ...
• Example(s):
  • Humanist Manifesto III, deriving knowledge from observation and ethics from human needs tested by experience.
  • Humanist Life Ceremonies, conducting weddings and funerals celebrating human commitment and legacy without afterlife reference.
  • Secular Ethics Education, teaching moral reasoning through empathy and consequence understanding rather than scriptural authority.
  • ...
• Counter-Example(s):
  • Divine Command Ethics, basing morality on religious scripture and deity will rather than human reasoning.
  • Nihilistic Atheism, rejecting religion while embracing amorality or cynicism about human worth.
  • Anti-Human Naturalism, prioritizing ecosystem or machine succession over human flourishing.
• See: Religious Naturalism, Life Purpose, Meaning-Making Process, Existential Meaning, Humanism, Atheism, Rationalism, Enlightenment Philosophy, Human Rights, American Humanist Association, Humanist Manifesto, Scientific Method, Critical Thinking, Ethical Framework.

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