Humanism and Its Aspirations

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Humanism and Its Aspirations (subtitled Humanist Manifesto III, a successor to the Humanist Manifesto of 1933) is the most recent of the Humanist Manifestos, published in 2003 by the American Humanist Association (AHA).[1] The newest one is much shorter, listing six primary beliefs, which echo themes from its predecessors:

  • Knowledge of the world is derived by observation, experimentation, and rational analysis. (See empiricism.)
  • Humans are an integral part of nature, the result of unguided evolutionary change.
  • Ethical values are derived from human need and interest as tested by experience. (See ethical naturalism.)
  • Life's fulfillment emerges from individual participation in the service of humane ideals.
  • Humans are social by nature and find meaning in relationships.
  • Working to benefit society maximizes individual happiness.

It has been used as source material for secular and atheist ethics. [2]

Signatories[edit]

Academics and other prominent persons were signatories to the document, attesting "We who sign Humanism and Its Aspirations declare ourselves in general agreement with its substance":

Notable signatories[edit]

Nobel laureates[edit]

22 Nobel laureates were among the signatories:

Past AHA presidents[edit]

AHA board members[edit]

  • Melvin Lipman (president)
  • Lois Lyons (vice president)
  • Ronald W. Fegley (secretary)
  • John Nugent (treasurer)
  • Wanda Alexander
  • John R. Cole
  • Tom Ferrick
  • Robert D. Finch
  • John M. Higgins
  • Herb Silverman
  • Maddy Urken
  • Mike Werner

Drafting committee[edit]

  • Fred Edwords (chair)
  • Edd Doerr (also included above as a past AHA president)
  • Tony Hileman
  • Pat Duffy Hutcheon
  • Maddy Urken

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Humanism and its Aspirations". American Humanist Association, 2003. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  2. ^ "St. Paul's atheists are coming out of the closet". St. Cloud Times. Retrieved 2019-08-23.

External links[edit]