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Humanism and Superhumanism - Reconstructed Lecture

davidsholz.com · 8,652 words · saved by 1 readers

My claim to speak on this subject is my dissatisfaction with both positions. I am neither a contented humanist nor a confident superhumanist. What is Humanism? The dictionary says: "Devotion to human interests; a system concerned with human rather than divine interests, or with the human race rather than the individual." Let me define it more precisely as an attitude of mind, a policy, a way of living according to which "the proper study of mankind is man," and the proper object of all devotion is humanity. Two claims follow: first, nothing less than humanity is worthy of devotion—we do not worship stones or animals. Second, nothing more than humanity is knowable by human minds—we cannot have reliable knowledge of gods or cosmic purposes. Therefore all service, all loyalty, all praise and worship is due to the awakening spirit of humanity itself. The humanist believes that service of humanity should be the dominant motive in an individual's life and the dominant principle of politics.

Humanism and Superhumanism - Reconstructed Lecture Original Notes Reconstructed Lecture Definitions My claim to speak: dissatisfaction with both Humanism Concise Oxford Dictionary : "Devotion to human interests; system concerned with human (not divine) interests, or with the human race (not the individual)" Let us say: an attitude of mind, a policy, a way of living — "the proper study of mankind is man"; & the proper object of all devotion is man. 1. nothing less than man is worthy of devotion; 2. nothing more than man is knowable by men. ∴ all service, all loyalty, all praise & worship — is d

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