Presentation and Discussion led by Dr Mark Reimers
The roots of humanism lie in ancient wisdom literature, which reflected on justice, fate and the life well-lived. The Renaissance Humanists rediscovered that literature and advocated for the values of human life, especially clear thought, eloquence, and civic engagement. In the early twentieth century a group of Unitarian ministers advocated a liberal Christianity without a deity as the natural next stage of human evolution, and they claimed the name 'humanism' for their movement; they believed that a golden age of humanity was dawning.
However, the confident optimism of that second humanism feels less credible now, after the wars and environmental disasters of the 20th century. Today few prominent public thinkers called themselves humanists.
I propose that the path to a vibrant humanism in the 21st century is to engage the long-standing aspirations of humanism with the emerging scientific understandings of human behavior and the natural world. Let us develop a deep connection with nature and to understand the web of life. Let us build an empathetic but scientifically grounded understanding of the human mind. Let us think consciously about our human relationships. Let us gather evidence about and reflect on the long-term consequences of our political and economic systems.
All are welcomed!