Humanism Andrew Copson Chief Executive, British Humanist Association President, International Humanist and Ethical Union

Myths about Humanism Western – confined to Europe in origin Recent – arising in the enlightenment Western – confined to Europe in origin Parasitic – reliant on religions for its context

Reality Global – occurring across the world independently Ancient – at least as old as written human thought Global – occurring across the world independently Positive as well as reactive

Perennial and everywhere Europe, 6th century BCE to 6th century CE China, 6th century BCE onwards India, 6th century BCE onwards Arab world in middle ages (c12th century CE) Modern world, c17th century to the present

Accept naturalism and use scientific method to gain knowledge Humanists… Accept naturalism and use scientific method to gain knowledge

Who paints the peacocks, who makes the cuckoos sing Who paints the peacocks, who makes the cuckoos sing? There exists here no cause excepting nature. - Charvaka writing, 3rd century BCE

Humanists… Accept naturalism and use scientific method to gain knowledge Accept this one life is all we know we have

I believe that when I die I shall rot… and nothing of my ego will survive… - Bertrand Russell

Humanists… Accept naturalism and use scientific method to gain knowledge Accept this one life is all we know we have Accept morality arises out of human nature and culture

The feeling of commiseration is the beginning of humanity; the feeling of shame and dislike is the beginning of righteousness - Mengzi, 4th century BCE But there is no evidence

Humanists… Accept naturalism and use scientific method to gain knowledge Accept this one life is all we know we have Accept morality arises out of human nature and culture Believe what is right is what promotes human welfare and fulfillment

because we are naturally social beings; we live in communities; and life in any community, from the family outwards, is much happier, and fuller, and richer if the members are friendly and co-operative than if they are hostile and resentful - Margaret Knight, 1952

Humanists… Accept naturalism and use scientific method to gain knowledge Accept this one life is all we know we have Accept morality arises out of human nature and culture Believe what is right is what promotes human welfare and fulfillment Believe we can/should create meaning and purpose in life

Events are what they are, but what we make of them is up to us. - Diogenes, 5th century BCE

Humanism for the world Based on latest knowledge of reality: perfect for scientific age Based on universal human dignity: perfect for a global age Present in all places at all times: perfect for a diverse age

Aims of Humanist Organisations Promoting understanding of humanism to humanists who don’t know they are; Promoting humanism to non-humanists in the hope of persuading; Proving services to non-religious people; Promoting a secular state (sometimes self-interested); Promoting humanist and scientific solutions to questions of public interest.