fbpx

Policies

What Ethical Humanism stands for

  • Date / 1965
  • Ratifying Body / Board of Directors
  • Status / Pending-review

Ethical humanism is a complex response to the world of those who hold that man is self-dependent. It rejects absolutes and cannot be characteristically represented by any tabulation of statements. Those that follow should be read as indication of what humanism stands for, rather than as a declaration of what humanism is.

  1. Ethical humanism expresses a moral conviction; it is acceptance of responsibility for human life in the world.
  2. It represents a way of life relying upon human capacities and natural and social resources.
  3. Humanist morality starts with an acknowledgement of human interdependence and the need for mutual respect.
  4. Ethical Humanism calls for a significant existence made worthwhile through human commitment and acceptance, as a basis for enjoyment and fulfilment.
  5. Man becomes human in society; society should provide conditions for the fullest possible development of each man.
  6. Human development requires continuous improvement of the conditions of free inquiry and of an open society.
  7. Scientific knowledge progressively established and applied is the most reliable means of improving the welfare.
  8. Human progress is progress in freedom of choice; human justice is the progressive realization of equality.
  9. Justice does not exclude force, but the sole desirable use of force is to suppress the resort to force.
  10.  Ethical Humanism affirms the unity of man and a common responsibility of all men for all men.

Board of Directors 1965

Suggested academic reference

'What Ethical Humanism stands for', Humanists International, Board of Directors, 1965

Share
WordPress theme developer - whois: Andy White London