key term - Secular Humanism

Definition

Secular humanism is a philosophical stance that emphasizes human values, reason, and ethics without reliance on religious beliefs. This worldview advocates for a rational approach to understanding the world, focusing on human welfare and the importance of individual dignity, while promoting scientific inquiry and critical thinking. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, secular humanism emerged as a response to traditional religious doctrines, coinciding with significant scientific advancements and changing intellectual trends.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Secular humanism gained momentum during the Enlightenment but became more organized in the early 20th century with the establishment of various humanist organizations.
2. It promotes ethical frameworks based on reason, empathy, and human experiences rather than religious doctrines.
3. The rise of secular humanism coincided with significant scientific developments like Darwin's theory of evolution, challenging traditional views of humanity's place in the universe.
4. Secular humanists often advocate for social justice, human rights, and global citizenship, emphasizing the importance of ethical behavior in a secular society.
5. The philosophy has faced criticism from religious groups who argue that morality and meaning cannot exist without a divine framework.

Review Questions

• How did secular humanism influence scientific developments during the late 19th and early 20th centuries?
  • Secular humanism played a crucial role in promoting scientific inquiry and critical thinking during this period. By emphasizing reason over faith, it encouraged scientists to pursue empirical research and challenge established beliefs. The acceptance of theories such as Darwin's evolution directly influenced societal views on humanity, pushing back against religious interpretations of creation, thus paving the way for modern scientific thought.
• Evaluate the relationship between secular humanism and the rise of social movements in the early 20th century.
  • Secular humanism significantly influenced various social movements by promoting ideas of equality, justice, and individual rights independent of religious narratives. Movements advocating for women's rights, labor rights, and civil rights found support within secular humanist philosophy, which emphasized the value of human welfare over traditional religious constraints. This helped to galvanize action towards social reforms rooted in ethical principles rather than divine commandments.
• Assess the impact of secular humanism on contemporary ethical debates regarding morality and society.
  • Secular humanism has profoundly impacted contemporary ethical debates by providing frameworks for discussing morality outside of religious contexts. As society grapples with issues like bioethics, environmental responsibility, and social justice, secular humanist principles encourage dialogue based on reason and empirical evidence. This shift allows for a more inclusive approach to ethics that considers diverse perspectives while prioritizing shared human values over religious dogma, reflecting ongoing changes in societal norms.

Related terms

Rationalism: A philosophical belief that reason and logic are the primary sources of knowledge and truth, often associated with the Enlightenment.

Empiricism: The theory that knowledge is derived from sensory experience and evidence gathered through observation and experimentation.

Naturalism: The belief that everything arises from natural properties and causes, and supernatural explanations are excluded or discounted.