Humanism is a philosophy based on human values, human knowledge of the natural universe, and human endeavor. It is based on the belief that we are responsible for our own destiny. Humanists reject any notion of the supernatural, and therefore reject the idea that our lives are presided over by any supernatural force or "god", and that our ethics and standards of behavior are "handed down" to us by "divine authority".

The rejection of the supernatural also forces us to question the idea that our existence serves some predetermined "purpose". It is the view of Humanists that we create our own purpose and that we must use our intelligence, our knowledge, and our compassion to build good lives for ourselves and for future generations.

Humanist History

Humanism as a philosophy can be traced back to classical Greek thought. After the Dark Ages this tradition of freethought emerged again at the time of the Renaissance. It was advanced by the 18th century enlightenment and by the development of modern science.

Modern Humanism grew out of the variety of freethinking groups that developed during the 19th century. The International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) was founded in Amsterdam in 1952 and the modern Humanist movement of the 19th century, when terms such as "freethinker", "secularist" and "rationalist" were generally used. The Humanist Society of Victoria Inc. was formed in 1961. Since then its members have been actively involved in promoting a Humanist way of life.

Secular Humanist Values and Beliefs

Humanists of today identify with a distinctive belief system, specifically known as contemporary Humanism. This system is identified by certain essential features. These are:

Humanism is naturalistic

Humanism views the universe, including all life, as having a natural, evolutionary origin. This view excludes acceptance of any supernatural act of creation by any kind of spirit creator. Humanists take a sceptical scientific approach to ideas about spirits, souls or other transcendent beings, forces, or supernatural processes, including life after death.
Humanism is ethical

The ethics of Humanism are based on quality of life considerations relating to the maximisation of well-being and the reduction of suffering. Humanist values are also reflected in a deep concern for equity, fairness and social justice. Humanists recognise that a person only becomes fully human in a community that respects each person's autonomy and liberty whilst fostering a culture of mutual care and cooperation. As they mature, individuals learn to take responsibility for their choices and actions, a development which is particularly important when these affect the lives of others.
Humanism is rational

Humanists consider that knowledge is gained through experience, critical investigation, the formulation of theories, and the careful evaluation of evidence. Humanists adopt a sceptical, scientific approach to unsupported claims of special knowledge, power or authority (e.g. miracles, psychic surgery, channelling spirit messages, divine revelations, etc.).
Humanism is universalist

Humanism is a philosophical life stance that upholds the principles of freedom of, and freedom from, religion. Humanists strive to establish a secular, civil society that respects the individual's right to freedom of conscience and belief. They envisage a democratic State that operates without the official use of religious symbols or practices. Such a State legislates and operates in a non-discriminatory way towards its citizens without regard to their ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, marital status or systems of belief. The Humanist project is to build a global community living in harmony with nature under a fair and just secular system of law, and a social organisation which protects human rights and satisfies the basic needs of all.
Humanism is holistic

Humanism recognises the many and varied traits, capacities and abilities of the 'whole' person. Humanists acknowledge that each individual has many facets to his or her personality including those in the areas of intellectual, emotional, physical, creative, critical, aesthetic, social, cultural and ethical development. Humanists also acknowledge the place of the human species in the global environment as being both part of nature and totally dependent on it.

[ This statement of Humanist values and beliefs was endorsed at the 2002 CAHS Convention on the Gold Coast.]

What else do Humanists believe?

Humanists have taken a stand on a wide range of social and ethical issues. Briefly Humanists strongly support the following:

A sound education for all children, with emphasis on the "scientific method" and critical thinking.
Enlightened democracy, dedicated to the common good.
Freedom of speech.
Equality. Humanism opposes discrimination against any person on the basis of sex, religious belief or sexual orientation.

What about Ethics?

Ethics has no necessary connection with religion. The ethics of Humanism is based on using rational thought to construct how to live an ethical life in practical ways. Humanist ethical rules channel desires in ways that facilitate both group and individual survival and well being.

Humanism believes in

Children should be brought up to be honest, kind and fair in their dealings with others.
People should be decent and thoughtful towards each other.
Individual freedom should be limited only where it interferes with the freedom or well being of others.

What about Politics?

Humanists favor an open, democratic society as the best means of allowing both individuals and groups to reach their full potential while acting in harmony within the larger, global community.

What about Things Spiritual?

Through the mind, human imagination can conceive highly original ideas and arouse uplifting emotions. These are the essence of the human spirit. Such thoughts and feelings can be inspired by outstanding human achievements. They are valued as "spiritual" by Humanists, without reference to anything supernatural.

General attributes of humanists

In general, humanists

agree on the principles stated above, although not necessarily on the way they are put into practice.
are optimistic and idealistic
are involved in many human rights groups
support efforts towards the resolution of the issues arising from the dispossession of the Aborigines from the land they had occupied prior to immigrant settlement
welcome the cultural and ethnic diversity of modern Australia
encourage all groups to respect each other's human rights and those of their own individual members

The Challenge of Modern Humanism

Human beings must accept responsibility for themselves, for each other and for other life forms on our planet. As there is no evidence of any supernatural power to help, reward or punish us, every effort must be made to gain greater understanding of ourselves, each other, and other life forms. Our resources are

human experience
human knowledge
our capacities for reason, curiosity, compassion and co-operation

External Resources

Here are some external sites with further explanation of Humanism.

What is Humanism? by Frederick Edwords

About the Humanist Society of Victoria

Introduction

The Humanist Society of Victoria (HSV) Inc. is a non-profit body that seeks to represent the aspirations and interests of humanists in Victoria, Australia. It is run by volunteers, and in 1990 was incorporated under state law as Association A0020272M.

Aims

Aims of the Humanist Society of Victoria:

To help develop a civil society in which each person may reach his or her potential.
To advocate ethical decision-making and responsibility for one's actions, based on respect for individual autonomy, peaceful coexistence between peoples of differing ways of life, and maintenance of a sustainable environment.
To support human rights, civil liberties, secular education and a scientific approach to human problems.

Activities

Locally

The Humanist Society of Victoria meets (in Melbourne normally) to hear speakers on Humanist approaches to life and be informed on topics of current interest and importance to explore ideas with people of like mind and so develop Humanist policies to prepare submissions and lobby on matters of wide community concern to organise projects that further Humanist ideals and assist with the welfare of other community members to issue a monthly newsletter (The Victorian Humanist)		HSV conducts regular public lectures, featuring guest speakers, aiming to stimulate active, rational debate on a wide range of current social and ethical issues. Speakers have included such personalities as Andrew Wilkie (formerly Office of National Assessments) on the decline of democracy, Dr Max Wallace (Continuing Education, Australian National University) on separating church and state, Dr Rob Sparrow (Human Bioethics, Monash University) on biotechnology and humanism, and Professor Brian Ellis (formerly Philosophy, La Trobe University) on social humanism. (See lecture program.) HSV holds regular discussion meetings of members, advertised in the monthly newsletter. Typical subjects of discussion are submissions to be made by the Society to public bodies, presenting the Humanist view of important social questions (see Submissions List). HSV recognizes a need to counter religious influences in schools, and a curriculum of humanist ethics is being compiled (see lessons for schools).
Other activities include social gatherings dinners maintaining a Humanist reference library providing counseling services		Individual Humanists act as celebrants for secular weddings and officiate for funerals, naming ceremonies and other rites of passage if requested.

Nationally

The Humanist Societies in each Australian State are affiliated into a national body, the Council of Australian Humanist Societies (CAHS), which

meets at an annual Convention
co-ordinates Humanist activities nationally
publishes the Australian Humanist
maintains contact with other national bodies with similar interests

Globally

The Council of Australian Humanist Societies is a member of the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU), which is a non-governmental organisation accredited to the United Nations. It maintains links with overseas Humanist organisations.