The Concept of Humanism - Essay Example

Humanism: This paper analyzes this concept of humanism, by focusing on the three major types of humanism, ly, religious, secular, and renaissance humanism. The concept of humanism has a variety of meanings and the meanings depend on the context in which an individual views humanity from. There are three major types of contexts that an individual can view humanity from, and these are, religious, secular, and renaissance humanism (Zimmermann, 14). On most occasions, scholars who are speaking on humanism normally tend to ignore these types of humanism, and they speak of it, on a general perspective. This has an impact of causing confusion, to the audience of these scholars. In defining humanism, Durbin explains that their does not exist a general definition of this concept of humanism, but it depends on the context in which an individual views it from (Durbin, 6). For instance, renaissance humanism refers to the movement that began in the middle ages, which gave mankind the ability of determining the truth or falsehood, by themselves (Durbin, 11). This movement is also characterized by the restoration of classical letters. Secular humanism emerged in the 18th century, because of the growth of the rationalism movement, and the emergences of a well educated group of people, who wanted to view humanity, based on a rationale approach (Durbin, 22). On the other hand, religious humanism is closely associated with an ethical culture, universalism, and Unitarianism. Therefore, the best way of defining humanism, is by analyzing it, based on the different types of humanism that exists. Almási tries to come up, with a general definition of humanism, and he defines it as an ethical and philosophical stance, which is able to emphasize on the value of human beings, either collectively and individually (Almasi, 16). This paper takes a stand that to understand the concept of humanism, there is a need of analyzing the three major contexts of humanism that is religious, renaissance, and secular humanism. Religious humanism is a concept that came out of the culture of universalism, Unitarianism, and ethics. In the modern times, almost everybody who advocates for ethics, and Unitarianism, can be considered as a modern day humanist. However, there is a dilemma on whether their world views are religious or not. Good (33) argues that those who take a philosophical approach in identifying these people can be viewed as secular humanists, while those who view them on a religious perspective, are considered as religious humanist. This type of dilemma has existed, since the 20th century, when the religious and secular traditions were able to converge, bringing modern humanism. Religious and secular humanists have a similar worldview, and they share the same principles. This is best proved by the fact that these two types of humanists were amongst the first people to sign the 1933 Humanist Manifesto I, and the 1973 Humanist Manifesto II, and the 2003 Humanist Manifesto III (Grayling, 40). From a philosophical viewpoint, no difference exists between these two types of humanism. However, it is the definition of religion that separates the two. However, when it comes to practicing philosophy, the secular and religious humanists are able to disagree. In their definition of religion, religious humanists usually take a functional approach. To them, religion is a process that is able to serve the social and personal needs of a group of people, who are sharing a similar philosophical world view (Grayling, 53). For purposes of serving a personal need, religious humanism is able to offer a ground for moral values, and ideas and philosophies that are inspirational. This is for purposes of dealing with harsh realities of life, and making people to live a joyful life. This further helps in creating purposes to an individual. For purposes of serving the social needs of an individual or a community, religious humanists are able to offer a sense of belonging, moral education of young children, and special holidays, for purposes of bonding with one another, who share a similar world view. One of the major principles and ideologies of religious humanism is the notion that every human being have a social and personal need, and these needs can only be satisfied by religion. Curley (21) explains that religious humanists normally do not believe that an individual has to make a choice between meeting their personal and social needs in a traditional faith, as opposed to not meeting them at all (Nauert, 17). However, they believe that a person, whose needs are not satisfied in a traditional faith, can find satisfaction in other faiths that are not traditional. This is as long as their needs are satisfied in a religious manner. Religious Humanists believe that in as much as doctrines of different denominations may differ, new doctrines have the capability of replacing the older doctrines. However, the intention of religion does not change. Secular humanists on the other hand, do not believe in religion (Good, 27). Secular humanism is a philosophical world view that focuses on reason, distributive justice, and altruistic morality in advocating for the principles of humanism. Secular humanists reject any claim of supernatural existence, superstition, or even a theistic faith. Mostly, these people advocate for rationalism, as a basis of promoting their humanistic philosophies and approaches. This involves an aspect of critical thinking, and the use of science in solving the various dilemmas, that are facing the human society (Veugelers, 59). These people believe that this concept of humanism is democratic in nature, and very ethical. This therefore means that people have the responsibility and right, of shaping their own destinies, and their lives. They believe that religion does not give people such kind of an opportunity, and this is mainly because people are secluded in their religious beliefs, hence they do not have the freedom of choosing their own destinies. Unlike religious humanism, secular humanism does not provide a fixed ethical standard, but it provides a guideline on how to arrive at these ethical standards. These guidelines are derived from their scientific or empirical approaches to life (Alvares, 17). In passing out moral judgments, secular humanists believe that there is a need of analyzing the consequences of these judgments, as opposed to adhering to a strict religious decree. Renaissance humanism on the other hand is an educational and cultural reform, that took place in the late 15th century, and it was started by educators, chancellors, writers, and other people during this period in time. This movement was a challenge to the Aristotic philosophies and education, that favored the elite, and people of higher social class. Renaissance humanism, focused on preparing people to become professionals, such as doctors, lawyers, theologians, etc. This was with the aim of empowering these people, to have the capability of making their own independent decisions. Furthermore, the intention of this type of humanity was to empower people, with the skills, that could make them come up with moral decisions that could help the community. In conclusion, humanism is an aspect that is concerned with making mankind to live a moral and a virtuous life that is free from suffering and turmoil. There are three major approaches, to this concept of humanism, and they are religious, renaissance, and secular humanism. Religious humanism focuses on the use of religion to promote the philosophies of humanism. Under this context, the problems that an individual suffers can be solved through religion. However, these humanists believe that any religion has the capability of solving these problems, hence they do not advocate for a specific religious belief. Secular humanists do not believe in religion, but in rationality, for purposes of solving the various problems that are suffered by humanity. They believe in scientific and critical thinking, for purposes of coming up with a solution to the various problems faced by mankind. Renaissance humanism on the other hand, is a movement that began in the medieval times, and it focused on educating the masses for purposes of empowering them into making decisions. This type of humanism focuses on education, for purposes of solving the various problems of mankind. Works Cited: Top of Form Almási, Gábor. The Uses of Humanism: Johannes Sambucus (1531-1584), Andreas Dudith (1533-1589), and the Republic of Letters in East Central Europe. Leiden: Brill, 2009. Print. Bottom of Form Top of Form Alvares, Claudia. Humanism After Colonialism. Oxford: Lang, 2006. Print. Top of Form Curley, Sean P. Humanism for Parents: Parenting Without Religion. S.l.: Lulu, 2007. Print. Top of Form Durbin, Denzil T. Secular Humanism Vs. Religion: Barack Obama the Champion of Humanism. , 2013. Print. Bottom of Form Bottom of Form Top of Form Good, Graham. Humanism Betrayed: Theory, Ideology, and Culture in the Contemporary University. Montreal [u.a.: McGill-Queens Univ. Press, 2001. Print. Top of Form Grayling, A C. Meditations for the Humanist: Ethics for a Secular Age. New York: Oxford University Press, 2003. Print. Bottom of Form Bottom of Form Bottom of Form Top of Form Nauert, Charles G. Humanism and the Culture of Renaissance Europe. Cambridge: Cambridge Univ. Press, 2006. Internet resource. Top of Form Veugelers, Wiel. Education and Humanism: Linking Autonomy and Humanity. Rotterdam: Sense, 2011. Print. Top of Form Zimmermann, Jens. Humanism and Religion: A Call for the Renewal of Western Culture. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2012. Print. Bottom of Form Bottom of Form Bottom of Form Read More