By Islamic Humanist
The ideas which make up modern humanism have developed
slowly throughout history and will not fade into oblivion
just because people may some day cease to use the term
"humanist." Although there were individual
humanists throughout the world in each of the past fifty
or more centuries, it has been only in recent ones that
these ideas have been recognized as forming a point of
view, an approach to life.
There are, however, certain specific ideas which have gone
into the making of modern humanism. Seven of these,
although at some points shading into one another, seem to
us to stand out.
As a starting point let us take the idea that this life
should be experienced deeply, lived fully, with
environmentally sensitive awareness and appreciation of
that which is around us. Those of artistic or venturesome
inclination, in particular, have had this keen awareness.
This earthy state of mind has existed throughout the ages,
particularly in many tribal societies.
Another idea is that nature is thoroughly worthy of
attention and study. Early philosopher-scientists, among
them Aristotle, shaped this notion.
Still another idea is that of confidence in humankind. For
expression of this we are indebted in large measure to the
to the eighteenth-century democrats who had faith that
humans can control their own destinies.
A fourth idea is that of the equality of rights among
humans. This is part of the democratic ideal and for it we
are again particularly under obligation to the eighteenth
century democrats. More recently anti-slavery and womenís
movements have come to the surface.
Cooperation and mutual aid can be thought of as a fifth
central idea. This important theme lies deep in most
religions. Early humanists were exhilarated to see it
given a new justification through the work of sociologists
and biologists.
A further idea is that of evolution as worked out by
nineteenth-century scientists. Early humanists were quick
to realize the implications of development through gradual
change.
The seventh and last idea is rational logical thinking,
the need of proving theory by testing and experience. On
this principle has been built the whole modern rational
scientific method of verification by experiment. Perhaps
no other idea has been of more practical importance to the
humanist movement than this one.
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