The God Argument by A. C. Grayling

Author:A. C. Grayling
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub, pdf
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Published: 2013-01-09T22:00:00+00:00

13

Humanism: The Ethics of Humanity

In essence, humanism is the ethical outlook that says each individual is responsible for choosing his or her values and goals and working towards the latter in the light of the former, and is equally responsible for living considerately towards others, with a special view to establishing good relationships at the heart of life, because all good lives are premised on such. Humanism recognises the commonalities and, at the same time, wide differences that exist in human nature and capacities, and therefore respects the rights that the former tells us all must have, and the need for space and tolerance that the latter tells us each must have.

Humanism is above all about living thoughtfully and intelligently, about rising to the demand to be informed, alert and responsive, about being able to make a sound case for a choice of values and goals, and about integrity in living according to the former and determination in seeking to achieve the latter.

A succinct way of characterising the humanistic life comes from a conversation that begins Plutarch’s essay, ‘The Dinner of the Seven Wise Men’. Two of the sages are discussing an interesting question on their way to the dinner, as follows: ‘We know what the duties are of a host at a dinner party; but what are the duties of a guest?’ The other replies, ‘The duty of a guest is to be a good conversationalist – that is, someone well-informed, who can articulate his views, express and explain them, make a case for them, and be prepared to change them if offered better arguments or evidence; but who is also a good listener, who hears what his interlocutors say (not what he thinks they have said), can engage with their views, discuss them, debate them, challenge them if necessary; but along with them seek clarity, understanding, and truth.’ I paraphrase a little, but this was the gist. And it beautifully illustrates the humanist ideal; that the humanist is one who seeks to be informed, reflective, alert, responsive, eager for understanding and for achievement of the good: in short, to be a good guest at the dinner of life.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.