Northeast Humanist Values

7/25/2019 Northeast Humanist Values

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An introduction to Humanist Beliefs, Values, and Actions

A discussion document produced by

North East Humanists

Background

Stimulated by the a bold attempt in the Amsterdam Declaration 2002 to capture theessence of Humanism, a number of members of North East Humanists formed a workingparty in 2004 to consider their own understanding of Humanistic ideas.

The Amsterdam Declaration has clearly met a need among humanists for a succinctstatement of basic tenets. However, it seemed to the members of the working party that abroader approach could be useful which included observations about where the beliefsand values come from that underpin Humanist thinking.

The working party, therefore, set out to work on the following objectives.

To provide an introduction to a range of humanist thinking for those enquiringabout the nature of Humanism.

To provide a series of assumptions against which individual Humanists maycompare their own beliefs, values, and actions.

The outcome is in two parts:

1. An introductory statement about Humanistic beliefs, values, and actions.

2. Specific Humanistic beliefs, their accompanying values, and possible associatedactions.

It is a part of the essence of Humanism that it has no unalterable core of laid-down beliefsor orthodox expressions of its values. Therefore, we see this as an evolving project inwhich the content may be added to and modified from time to time in response tocriticisms and suggestions made by both Humanists and non-Humanists.

Opinions on what follows are invited with particular reference to

The extent to which the work is helpful/useful in thinking about Humanist beliefsand values.

Clarity of presentation.

Any suggested modification of any item, its content or wording.

Any suggested additional beliefs/values/actions.

Any other relevant commentPlease address your comments to John Hodge at [email protected]

Members of the working party: Jack Grassby; Grace Hodge; John Hodge (Convenor);Gordon Houlsby; Roger McAdam; Jack Sibson; Peter Warburton; Geraldine Wilkes. Thethanks of the working party are due to Jim Herrick, Neil Jenkins, and members of NorthEast Humanists for their comments at the draft stage.


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Basic assumptions

The beliefs and values that we are concerned with here have to do with human nature, thenature of society, and the meaning of life. The position taken by the working party is that,

where there is a choice of how to behave, the actions of an individual are in large partdictated by his or her values, that these values arise out of his or her beliefs, and which, inturn, arise out of life experience.

The following statements are generalisations, nearly all of which require more space tovalidate them than is appropriate here. Our aim is to paint a broad picture of where we arecoming from in compiling our suggested lists of Humanist beliefs, values, and actions.

In its simplest form the sequence is:

Common human needs + experiencebeliefsvaluesactions(nature) (nurture)

Human needs, experience, and beliefs

Humans are born with the genetic potential for the unfolding of a range of needs. Manyneeds, such as for food and comfort, are manifested at birth; other needs, such as forautonomy and achievement, emerge a little later in childhood. Inborn needs stay with theindividual throughout life but evolve in their form during each life-stage through to old age.

The manner in which these needs come to be satisfied, or not, is dependent on thephysical and social environment and the degree to which it facilitates or inhibits personalgrowth, (e.g., with regard to the kind, quantity, and quality of the food received, the kind ofcare given, whether living is harsh or easy, the opportunities for self-expression and self-fulfilment). Beginning in early childhood, according to how his or her needs are met,alongside beliefs implanted in him or her by carers, the individual develops beliefs to dowith what people and life are about, all of which beliefs are gradually organised into acoherent whole.

With regard to the beliefs set out below:

They are thought likely to be held by many humanists but it is recognised that notall humanists will agree with them.

There is no attempt to establish an orthodoxy of Humanist beliefs. The beliefsbelow are mostly working assumptions, not hard and fast facts, and they should bemodified as new knowledge or valid alternative understandings emerge.


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Values.

Values are preferences for particular forms of behaviour and are the principles by whichwe conduct our lives. By the time adulthood is reached we have acquired a hierarchy ofvalues from the mundane or not very important to the highest and most significant and, towhich, some individuals might give up their life to preserving, such as freedom of speech.

Within this hierarchy we will have political, economic, social, aesthetic, religious, and othervalues, which develop out of our beliefs. If, for example, we believe that human beings arebasically self-centred and untrustworthy, our values are likely to include protectingourselves from exploitation. Values do not exist in isolation from each other but form avalues system, that is, we each hold clusters of values which are integrated together andin an intimate relationship with our system of beliefs.

Values are an integral part of personality; they are rooted in the needs system of theindividual and are embedded in the belief systems that give meaning and coherence to hisor her life and which sustain his or her sense of identity. Beliefs/values systems aredynamic, that is, a change in one area has a knock-on effect on other areas. Hence, the

tenacity with which people may hold on to certain of their beliefs for fear that a change inone sphere may invalidate all of the beliefs which give them a sense of being in control oftheir lives. Thus, statements of value in themselves may have little meaning withoutknowledge of the beliefs and attitudes of those who are propounding the value.

With regard to the values set out below:

We are not suggesting that we have discovered fresh values. Most of the valueswe have identified will be familiar to humanists. What we have tried to do is to linkthe values to the beliefs which might lie behind them.

There is little or no difference between a number of these values and those of

many Believers. They are basically the beliefs of someone who values thedemocratic ideal. The difference for a humanist is that the actions which follow fromhis or her beliefs and values are unencumbered by the constraints of religiousideology, by the need to pray for guidance, by considerations of punishment andreward in the next life, or by the requirement to follow edicts set out in ancientmanuscripts or obtained from supposed divine revelation.

These values are ideals. Their practical application is not always so clear-cut as thewording may suggest.

Actions

As noted, above, values may be seen as statements of policy, i.e., the principles governingaction across a variety of situations. Actual `right behaviour` depends on the totality of thecircumstances applying at the time. Therefore, the statements in the `Actions` column areintended to be indicative only and are just a few of the actions that could be identified ashaving a Humanist base.

September 2005


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Humanist Beliefs/Assumptions Humanists value: Compatible Humanist Actions

1. There is no discernible purpose tothe universe.

2. Life forms on earth have evolvedover billions of years. As for theuniverse as a whole, there is nodiscernible purpose in thisevolutionary process, nor plan orprescribed goal for humankind.

3. Irrational explanations for naturalphenomena such as, in earliertimes, the attribution of floods,famine, and disease, to supernaturalintervention, arise in part from theneed of individuals to reduceuncertainty in their lives. Suchexplanations impede thedevelopment of a commonunderstanding of the humancondition and diminish our ability todeal cooperatively with the causesand consequences of natural

events.

4. There is no evidence of an afterlife,and no supernatural agency towhom we can turn for instruction,confirmation, validation, justice,comfort, or support. Feelings of aweat the complexity of the Universe,admiration for the beauty of naturalphenomena, and deeply satisfying

emotions in personal relationships,are not evidence of the existence ofa deity any more than are theexperiences of pain and despair.

1. and 2. The spirit of enquirythat seeks to explain thenature of the universe and ofthe diversity of life on earth.

3. Explanations of human

behaviour and of naturalphenomena based in reasonand on scientificallyverifiable evidence. In theabsence of such evidence,the acceptance of thesimplest and the most likelyexplanation free fromsuperstition, ideology orreligious dogma.

An openness to newknowledge and theacceptance of uncertainty.

4. The acceptance that thesolutions to human problemslie in the imagination andactions of humans alone.

1. The pursuit of knowledge whichfurthers our understanding of thenature of the physical universe

2. The construction of our ownpurposes and goals as in 5, below.

3. To continually modify our beliefs in

the light of new knowledge.The rejection of, and opposition to,religious fables such as that of theCreation, and spurious conceptssuch as `Intelligent Design`.The encouragement of free-thinking.

4. To behave with the recognition thatwe are responsible for our owndestiny. To make the best of ourlife now rather than preparing forsome imagined future existence.


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Humanist Beliefs/Assumptions

5. Taken with 6., below:The proper concern of humans iswith the well-being of the whole ofhumankind.

6. The future of the human race restson the recognition by its members ofthe interdependence of thehumankind and its ecologicalenvironment

7. Humans are born with commonneeds, such as for food, shelter,love, and creativity. However, bothwithin and between societies there

can be wide individual differences inhow people learn to satisfy theirneeds and develop their beliefs.

Humanists value:

5. Self-reliance andindependence of thoughtwithin the recognition of theultimate interdependence ofhumanity.

Concern for the well-being of

the whole of humankind.Compassion and concern forall humans who, in varyingdegrees, are deprived of theopportunity for self-fulfilment.

6. Respect for other speciesand the non-human world.The promotion andpreservation of an ecologicalbalance.

7. An approach which seeks tounderstand the beliefs andvalues of others.

Compatible Humanist Actions

5. The promotion of ethical scientificresearch which has the potentialfor improving the well-being of thehuman race. Support for aidwithout religious or ideologicalstrings to help poorer countriesimprove the ability to meet theirown needs.Support for, e.g., all measures toimprove education and healthcare.Support for actions which enhancethe living of those who, in varyingdegrees are deprived of theopportunity for full self-development.In relation to the Third World,opposition, for example, to a crudemarket-forces approach to the

provision of essential services, toeconomic exploitation, and topollution by the toxic waste ofricher nations.

6. To inform everything we do withcare and consideration forhumanity, the physicalenvironment, and the natural world.

Support for behaviour and lawswhich promote global and local

sustainability and the conservationof scarce natural resources.Support for all humane measureswhich are intended to reduce theexpansion of the world population.

7. Except where democratic valuesare threatened, to show toleranceto difference and to use differenceconstructively.Nurture and develop freedom of

speech, thought, and action,consistent with the safety and well-being of others.

Work in cooperation with thoseorganisations and institutions inthose areas of their activity whichcoincide with Humanist values.


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8. Although conflicts of interest are anendemic feature of human nature,most humans do not manageconflict well. Conflict frequentlyleads to aggressive behaviourwhich, though sometimesunavoidable, is rarely an idealsolution. However, properlymanaged, conflict is a force for newideas, growth and constructivechange.

9. Individuals acquire their moralvalues initially from the groups andsociety that they grow up in. Moralor ethical codes arise in part fromthe need of individuals and groupsto co-operate if they are to survive,

and in part from the attempts ofeach group or society to regulatebehaviour which is thought to bethreatening if given free rein. It isprobable that there are commonhuman moral and ethical values butthe understanding of whatconstitutes moral and ethicalbehaviour may vary considerablyfrom society to society and varywithin the same society from time totime.

Humanist ethics fit well with the

democratic rights and valuesoutlined in 11, below.

10. Humans are capable of acts of thehighest self-sacrifice and altruismbut also, individually andcollectively, of acts of great crueltyand of disregard for the interests ofothers. The causes of doing harmto others are multiple and requiremultiple responses.

Humanists value:

8. A co-operative and problemsolving approach todifferences of interest.

9. An approach to morals andethics which takes accountof the complexities ofmodern living and has as itsstarting point that moral andethical behaviour is thatwhich, except in self-defence, does no harm tothe well-being of others. Insituations of moral dilemma,the choosing of solutionswhich do least harm to theparticipants.

10. Social attitudes whichmilitate against theexploitation, or physical orpsychological abuse, ofhumans by humans.A society which educatesits members in tolerant, co-operative living.


8. Support for the solving of person toperson, societal, and internationalconflicts and problems bynegotiation rather than by powerplay or the use of physical orpsychological force. The preference

for reasoned argument as opposedto dogmatic assertion.

9. To continually check, and ifnecessary challenge, traditionalvalues. To promote, and practisepersonally, the highest standardsof individual behaviour andcommunal care. To resist allattempts to impose a morality on

society based on archaicinjunctions or ideological rules. Tooppose bigotry, intolerance, andprejudice, wherever it is found.

10. The urging of politicians to createstructures which minimise theopportunities for acting withbrutality or harassment. Supportfor the United Nations and forvoluntary organisations that seekto help people such as e.g.Amnesty International, The

Medical Foundation for the Care ofVictims of Torture. Urging theimportance of internationalagreements which seek to preventstate-sponsored physical andmental abuse. Support for theCampaign Against Arms Trade.The offering of moral support toHumanists living under corruptregimes.


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11. There are no natural or absoluterights. As with morals and ethics,the interpretation of rights differsfrom society to society and in thesame society from time to time.The rights which, if adopted wouldlead to a just and healthy societyare rooted in the democratic ideal,i.e., that all members of a societyshould be treated as equalsirrespective of race, gender, ability,or disability.

Rights and duties are co-relative.Those who enjoy rights have a dutyto uphold the same rights forothers.

12. Many sentient beings, especiallythe higher primates, experiencefear, pain, frustration, depression,and the need for freedom(autonomy) in much the same wayas humans.

Humanists value:

11 Impartiality towards, andequal treatment of,individuals and groupswhatever their religious andnon-religious beliefs.

The separation of religion

and state.Laws free from theencroachment of religion.

12. A humane approach to allactions involving non-human sentient beings.


11. To protect and promote the rightsconferred on each other bymembers of a democratic societyand which include those of:- equality before the law,- liberty,- free association,- freedom of speech,- a livelihood,- participation in choice of

government,- equality of education free from

indoctrination, and- equality of health care.To urge the development of social,economic and political systemscapable of delivering the aboverights. To urge equalrepresentation with religious

bodies wherever such bodies areinvolved in social policy making Tooppose those who would seek toimpose their own creeds onothers, including inappropriateforms of democracy. To supportthe efforts of Oxfam and otherNGOs to bring about a genuinereform of international trade whichcould lift millions of people indeveloping countries out ofpoverty.

12. Urging freedom for animals fromphysical and psychological abuse.Support for organisations whichare concerned with the welfare ofanimals. Opposition to factoryfarming and to other forms ofconfining animals in unnatural andstressful conditions such aslimited space.

Urging the legal requirement thatthe killing of animals for foodshould be done in the mosthumane way possible irrespectiveof the creeds of orthodox religions.The showing of respect for theenvironmental needs of animalsand, where possible, theprotection of their habitat.


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13. The arts, in all their forms, and thedevelopment and exercise ofphysical skills meets the innateneed in human nature for creativityand self-expression. They are amajor source of pleasure. In plain orsymbolic form, the arts expresshuman desires and needs,triumphs, sorrows, the universalproblems of living, and explore theessence of being human,

14. There is a deep need in humans foropportunities for meeting with

others of like-minded belief, for ritesof passage, for communalcelebrations of happy events, foropportunities for collective grievingfollowing natural or other disasters,and for ceremonies and gatheringswhich offer comfort and support forthe bereaved.

Humanists value:

13. The creative and artisticpotential of human nature.The capacity of the arts,literature, and recreationalactivities for expandingperceptions, for increasingthe awareness of self, andfor illuminating the humancondition.All those circumstancesthat enable humans to befree to experience thephysical and mental joys ofliving.

14. The marking of happy, sad,and life-stage, events in

ceremonies or gatheringsfree from religion.


13. Working to nurture creative andartistic expression. Encouragingthe provision of opportunities andfacilities for the development ofphysical skills and for theenjoyment of sport.

14.To make better known theHumanistic alternatives to religious

ceremonies. Again, to urge Humanistrepresentation at all ceremonialoccasions where there are customarilyrepresentatives from religious bodies.

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Northeast Humanist Values