Understanding Humanism

Understanding Humanism is a concise and accessible guide to humanism, covering its beliefs, practices, and values as a non-religious worldview. It explores the relationship between science and religious belief, the value of the arts, human responsibility, the basis of human rights, and the challenge of nihilism. It is an ideal textbook for those approaching humanism for the first time.

Format: Hardback
Length: 217 pages
Publication date: 30 September 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Understanding Humanism is a comprehensive and accessible guide to the beliefs, practices, and values of humanism, presented as a non-religious worldview. This concise and engaging book delves into humanism as both a broad historical tradition of thought and a stance embodied in organized institutions. It offers a clear and systematic exploration of humanism's core beliefs and values, as well as the realities and personal experiences of living as a humanist in contemporary society.

Within the pages of this book, readers will find themselves engaged in thoughtful discussions on a range of critical questions. These include:

How do humanists perceive the relationship between science and religious belief?
Is humanism solely reliant on science as the sole valid form of knowledge?
What significance do humanists attach to the arts, and can they appreciate religious art?
Does the emphasis on human responsibility rely on an untenable belief in free will, which is challenged by psychology and neuroscience?
Do humanists believe that life is sacred?
What account would humanists offer regarding the basis of human rights, and why are they important?
Does humanism imply that human life is meaningless and pointless?
Can humanists confront the challenge of nihilism?

Understanding Humanism serves as an invaluable introduction to the field, providing a reliable and easily digestible framework for those seeking to explore humanism for the first time. By engaging with the arguments presented in this book, readers will gain a deeper understanding of humanism's rich tapestry of ideas and its potential to shape a more compassionate and inclusive world.

Weight: 580g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367506049